Issue 62 | 12/06/24

Welcome Back!

Hello, I’m Dr. Mia Garcia-Hills, Director of UIC’s office of Student Veterans Affairs. I am the daughter of a Korean War Veteran, the niece of a World War II Veteran and the proud aunt of two generations of Army and Air Force service members. I graduated from UIC in 2001 and am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the University that helped make my college dream a reality.

Student Veterans Affairs provides our military-connected community with a welcoming and supportive environment via the Císar Student Veterans Center. We provide resources, assistance, and programming to ease the transition to academic life and promote academic success.

Are Your Benefits Expiring?
Check your eligibility for CH 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 the Deceased, Disabled, MIA POW Veterans' Dependents Scholarship. For eligibility, visit Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Academic Good Standing Requirement

When a student has failed to maintain prescribed standards of progress, VA must be informed promptly so that benefit payments can be discontinued in accordance with the law. The termination date assigned by the school will be the last day of the term or other evaluation period in which the student’s progress became unsatisfactory. Schools that provide a period of academic probation may not continue to certify a Veteran or eligible person (who remains in a probationary status) for an indefinite period of time. It is reasonable to expect that an institution will report a termination due to unsatisfactory progress if a student remains on academic probation beyond two terms, quarters, or semesters.

Six-Credit Hour Exclusion

VA automatically grants mitigating circumstances for up to 6 credits the first time a student reduces or terminates, and mitigating circumstances must be considered. This automatic, one-time grant is called the 6-Credit Hour Exclusion. Up to 6 credits can be excluded if the student has been awarded benefits for the credit. The 6-Credit Hour Exclusion cannot be granted if the student completes the term and receives non-punitive grades.

If the student withdraws from 3 credits, the exclusion will be granted for 3 credits and the student’s one-time exclusion is used.

If the student withdraws from 12 credits, the exclusion will be granted for 6 credits, the student’s one-time exclusion is used, and the student must provide mitigating circumstances for the other 6 credits.

Spring 2025 Enrollment Certifications
Spring 2025 enrollment certification processing began on November 15 (Spring semester begins on January 13, 2025). Students who used GI Bill® during Fall 2024 and plan to continue GI Bill® in Spring 2025 are only required to upload a completed & signed advisor verification to be processed. If GI Bill® eligibility has changed since submitting a Certificate of Eligibility for Fall 2024, a new certificate or a screenshot of the current statement of benefits must also be uploaded.

New Spring 2025 students and first-time GI Bill® recipients are required to submit a 2024-2025 annual benefit form and must upload an advisor verification form to be processed. For step-by-step instructions, review the New Student Veteran Reservist and Dependent/Spouse To-Do List on our Benefits and Forms page.

Graduation Ceremony Veteran Cords

Veteran students who are officially listed as Graduation Pending for Fall 2024 may pick up their graduation cord in the Císar Student Veterans Center located in SCE 2nd floor, 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 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 qualify 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. 

Your Voice Matters

Take a minute to complete the Fall 2024 Student Veteran & Military Affiliated Needs Survey. UIC staff and faculty participate in meetings on and off campus where we have an opportunity to advocate for your needs. Taking this survey will ensure your voice is represented.

Gabriel De La Cruz

Hello, my name is Gabriel De La Cruz. I joined the Student Veterans Affairs Work Study team in October. I’m currently a first-year UIC student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business finance. I’m aiming to get a career in merger and acquisitions consulting. Currently serving as an Army National Guardsman who enlisted as a 35F. My current unit is the 106th AVN AHB out in Peoria, IL.

As a student and National Guardsman, I want to help veterans, military-connected students, and currently serving students utilize all their available benefits. So, they can get the higher education they are entitled to through military benefits. I'd also like to help establish the Císar Student Veterans Center as a place for veterans, military-connected students, and currently serving students to feel welcomed while ensuring that the space is used as a resource to de-stress or a home base to study.

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Job Opportunities
As a state agency under the jurisdiction of the Governor, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is required to comply with established hiring criteria when selecting individuals for employment. Check out these opportunities to serve those who have served.

Support National Guard and Reserve Members
This year's VFW-Student Veterans of America Legislative Fellowship cohort seeks support to advocate for passing H.R. 7543/ S. 3873, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill® Parity Act of 2024. This bill will ensure that any day in uniform with military pay counts toward Post-9/11 GI Bill® eligibility, promoting fairness for National Guard and Reserve members. 

What actions can you take?

• Send a message to your members of Congress
• Join the VFW Action Corps
• Contact your Student Veterans of America - UIC Chapter leadership
• Share this information with your online and in-person networks and community organizations

Let's act together to get this bill moving through Congress!

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!

Visit Us
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

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