Issue 78 | 12/5/25

Stay warm out there, Flames!

Hello, I’m Dr. Mia Garcia-Hills Director of UIC Student Veterans Affairs. Student Veterans Affairs provides a welcoming and supportive environment for our military-connected community via the Císar Student Veterans Center. We provide resources, assistance, and programming to ease the transition to academic life and promote academic success.

Stars and Stripes will help you stay up to date with Federal policies, 

UIC Student Veterans Affairs news, events, and announcements. We thank you for being part of our community and hope you enjoy reading our newsletter. Archived newsletter editions are available on our website.

Benefits Expiring?

Check your eligibility for Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment or Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship.

If you are a dependent and an Illinois state resident using Chapter 35, you may also be
eligible for an Illinois State Benefit called Deceased, Disabled, MIA POW Veterans'
Dependents Scholarship. For eligibility, visit Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Academic Progress & Your VA Education Benefits

To keep receiving your VA education benefits, it’s important to stay in good academic
standing.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Schools must notify the VA if a student stops meeting the required standards of
  academic progress. When this happens, the VA may discontinue benefits
• The school will report the last day of the term (or evaluation period) in which your
  academic progress became unsatisfactory
• Academic probation can only last so long. If your school places you on academic
  probation, they cannot keep certifying your benefits indefinitely
• Staying on academic probation for more than two terms (quarters or semesters)
  may require the school to report you to the VA for unsatisfactory progress
  

What this means for you:
Staying on top of your grades isn’t just about school success, it’s also about
protecting your benefits. If you’re struggling in a class or feeling overwhelmed, reach
out early. Tutoring, advising, counseling, and other campus support services are here
to help.

Understanding the VA’s 6-Credit Hour Exclusion

Life happens, and sometimes that means you need to withdraw from classes. The
VA recognizes this and provides a one-time benefit called the 6-Credit Hour Exclusion
to help protect your education benefits when unexpected situations arise.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The VA automatically grants mitigating circumstances for up to 6 credits the first
  time you reduce your course load or withdraw from classes
• This one-time allowance is called the 6-Credit Hour Exclusion. It can only be used
  once in your academic career
• The exclusion can only apply to credits the VA has already paid benefits for
• The exclusion cannot be used if you finish the term but receive non-punitive grades
  (like W, WF, NP, etc. without withdrawing)
  

How it works:

• If you withdraw from 3 credits: The VA applies the exclusion to all 3 credits, and your one-time exclusion is considered used
• If you withdraw from 12 credits: The VA automatically covers 6 credits under the exclusion, and you must provide mitigating circumstances (a valid reason) for the other 6 credits
  

What this means for you:
If you ever need to reduce your course load, make sure you understand how your one-
time exclusion works. Use it wisely and always communicate early with your School
Certifying Official if you’re considering withdrawing.

FREE Care Packages!

Winter is upon us, and we have gifts to offer. Thank you to the UIC College of Business, which is extending a big thank you to all military personnel and affiliates. Come to the office and pick your care package TODAY!

Graduation Ceremony Veteran Cords
Veteran students who are officially listed as Graduation Pending for Fall 2025 may pick up their graduation cord at the Císar Student Veterans Center, located on the 2nd floor of SCE, room 248. Students will be required to complete a form at the time of pick-up. Congratulations to our graduating student Veterans.

According to the VA 38 U.S.C. § 101(2) provides: The term "veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. Additionally, 13 CFR § 125.11 provides: Veteran has the meaning given to the term in 38 U.S.C. 101(2). A Reservist or member of the National Guard called to Federal active duty or disabled from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in line of duty or while in training status also qualifies as a Veteran. Consider obtaining an official Veteran ID card if you don’t have one. There are several types of identification cards to prove Veteran status. Learn about the different Veteran ID options.

Master Sergeant (Ret.) Manuel Lamegos

MSG (R) Manuel Lamegos holds a B.S. in Organizational
Leadership from the University of Charleston and brings more than two decades of distinguished service in the U.S. Army. Enlisting in 2002, he served in multiple armored and leadership roles across major Army divisions, deploying twice to Iraq and retiring after a successful career as an Army ROTC instructor in Chicago.

Manuel is deeply committed to mentorship—guiding Soldiers,
Veterans, and Army Cadets as they pursue their personal and professional goals. He is passionate about supporting students in higher education and continues to strengthen his

local community through volunteerism, including graduating from the Munster Police Department’s 6-week Citizens’ Police Academy and supporting the Munster High School Marching Band.

Serving UIC holds a special place in his heart. As a former Military Science Instructor, he
witnessed the resilience and drive of UIC’s Army ROTC Cadets, inspiring his ongoing
dedication to education and mentorship.

His advice for those pursuing military, public safety, or public service careers is rooted in
experience. Service is more than a job; it’s a transformative journey that builds strength,
resilience, and purpose.

Looking ahead, Manuel hopes to continue empowering Student Veterans and military-
connected students by sharing his lessons, experiences, and perspective to help them make informed and confident decisions about their futures.

Preserving Her Story

Register at the military women’s Memorial to collect and preserve our history. This tribute is one of a kind for American servicewomen, past, present, and future, featuring a collection of inspiring stories. They are leading a memorial to honor the commitment, contributions, and experiences of Servicewomen. By registering, you will help ensure that these stories are preserved and honored, where they might otherwise be lost and unknown to future generations.

Holiday Support Resources

The holidays can be tough; you don’t have to handle them alone.

24/7 Veterans Crisis Support:

• Call or text 988 then press 1
• Text: 838255
• Chat: veteranscrisisline.net

Programs:

• Soldiers’ Angels – Holiday Stockings for Heroes
• Toys for Tots
• Operation Homefront Holiday Meals
• American Red Cross – Holidays for Heroes
• VFW Unmet Needs Program

Upcoming Events
Join the Student Veterans Affairs Group to stay up to date on all our events and programs. We look forward to seeing you!

Become a 2026 Tillman Scholar
The Tillman Scholar program supports veterans, active-duty service members, and current
spouses/surviving spouses from all U.S. military branches, including the National Guard. Applicants must be full-time students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree at an accredited U.S. institution for the upcoming academic year.

Job Club: Fall Series
Hosted by The Chicago Lighthouse, this 12-week series will take place on Wednesdays and conducted on a hybrid basis via Zoom or In-Person.

The Císar Student Veterans Center (CSVC) is located on the second floor of Student Center East (SCE) room 248. Go through the Inner Circle food court, turn right (west) at the entrance to the Wellness Center, go past the Wellness Center front desk down the hall through the Commuter Student Resource Center, and you will see the CSVC entrance on the back wall.

Check out this step-by-step guide to the center: VIDEO

Winter hours update: 

December 5
Closes at 2:00 PM

December 8 – 12
Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

December 15 – January 9
Closed to the public

Student Veterans Affairs Support Availability:
• Dec. 15 – 23: Responding to phone calls and emails
• Dec. 24 – Jan. 1: Winter break (no activity)
• Jan. 2 – 9: Responding to phone calls and emails

Monday, January 12, 2026
Císar Center and Student Veterans Affairs will resume standard hours:
Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM


Contributing Editor: Nicolle Velasquez