Veterans Affairs at Pitt Community College

1. Veterans Affairs atPitt Community College

2. VA Mission and Vision • VA Mission Statement To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise – “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” – by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans. • VA Vision To provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned – and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship.

3. VA Core Values & Goals • Compassion– We will treat all veterans and their families with the utmost dignity and compassion.  We will provide services in a caring manner, with a sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.  • Commitment– Veterans have earned our gratitude and respect.  Their health care, benefits, and memorial service needs to drive our actions • Excellence – We strive to exceed the expectations of veterans and their families.  We strive to perform at the highest level of competence and take pride in our accomplishments. • Professionalism– Our success depends on maintaining a highly-skilled, diverse, and compassionate workforce.  We foster a culture that values equal opportunity, innovation, and accountability.

4. VA Core Values & Goals • Integrity– We recognize the importance of accurate information.  We practice open, truthful, and timely communication with veterans, employees, and external stakeholders.  By carefully listening and responding to their concerns, we seek continuous improvement in our programs and services. • Accountability– We will perform in a manner at all times that makes us accountable, responsible, and answerable to veterans and their families, our leaders and other employees as well as external stakeholders.  • Stewardship– We will ensure responsible stewardship of the human, financial, and natural resources as well as data and information entrusted to us.  We will improve performance through the use of innovative technologies, evidence-based medical practices, and sound business principles.

5. VA Chapters Chapter 33-Post 9/11 GI Bill: (Newest Bill) Voluntary active duty and/or veterans with at least 90 days service after 9/11 Chapter 30/MGIB-Montgomery GI Bill: Voluntary active duty and/or veterans Chapter 34/30 MGIB: Converted from “old GI Bill” to Chapter 30. Higher monthly rate & dependency pay Chapter 1606/MGIB: Selected Reserve, Voluntary reserve/guard with a 6-year contract Chapter 1607/REAP-Reserve Educational Assistance Program: Reserve/guars involuntarily called to active duty for a contingency operation for at least 90 days

6. VA Chapters Chapter 35/DEA-Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program: Dependents of service disabled (100%) or deceased veterans Chapter 32/VEAP-Vietnam Era Educational Assistance Program: Voluntary active duty between 1/1/77 and 6/30/85 Chapter 31/Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment: Separate Processing for other benefits.

7. REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CATEGORIES Must meet the following two requirements, no matter which category your eligibility falls under: • Receive a fully honorable discharge. To use MGIB after separation from active duty, discharge must be fully honorable. Discharges “under honorable conditions” and “general” discharges don’t establish eligibility for MGIB. However, if there is more than one period of service, and receives an other than honorable discharge from one period, veteran may be able to qualify if received an honorable discharge from another period of service. (A period from which veteran was discharged in order to reenlist may meet the eligibility requirements). • Complete High School.Obtain an equivalency certificate, or complete 12 hours toward a college degree, before applying for benefits.

8. Payment Tiers Institutional Training Ch. 30 Training Time Monthly Rate Full time $1,368.00 ¾ time $1,026.00 ½ time $ 684.00 less than ½ time more than ¼ time $ 684.00 ¼ time or less $ 342.00

9. Payment Tiers Institutional Training Ch. 1606 Training Time Monthly Rate Full time $333.00 ¾ time $249.00 ½ time $165.00 Less than ½ time $ 83.25

10. Payment Tiers

11. Payment Tiers Institutional Training Ch. 35 Training Time Monthly Rate Full time $925.00 ¾ time $694.00 ½ time $461.00 less than ½ time more than ¼ time $461.00 ¼ time or less $231.25

12. Veterans Responsibilities • For Chapters 30, 35, 1606, 1607 veterans are responsible for paying tuition, fees, and books up front. • Veterans receive 1st monthly payment from VA after 7-14 business days after the last calendar day of the 1st month after the start of classes.

13. Ch. 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill • Eligibility may be established using active duty service performed on or after 9/11/01. • The benefit level is determined based upon an individual’s aggregate qualifying active duty service.

14. Ch. 33 Eligibility for Active-Duty Personnel A/D Completed after 9/10/ 01% of Max. Amount Payable At least 36 months 100% At least 30 continuous days of A/D and discharged due service-connected disability 100% 30 months to 36 months 90% 24 months to 30 months 80% 18 months to 24 months 70% 12 months to 18 months 60% 6 months to 12 months 50% 90 days to 6 months 40%

15. Ch. 33 Eligibility for Reservists A/D Completed after 9/10/ 01% of Max. Amount Payable At least 36 cumulative months 100% At least 30 continuous days on A/D discharged due service-connected disability 100% At least 30 cumulative months 90% At least 24 cumulative months 80% At least 18 cumulative months 70% At least 12 cumulative months 60% At least 6 cumulative months 50% 90 aggregate days 40%

16. Ch. 33 Three Part Benefits Based on length of active duty service, Veterans are entitled to a percentage of the following: • Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education (paid to school) • Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school (paid to veteran) • Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year (paid to veteran)

17. School Responsibilities • RESPONSIBILITIES FOR REPORTING: • Keep VA informed of the enrollment status of veterans and other eligible persons • Use basic forms to keep VA informed, such as: • Enrollment Certification (VAF 22-1999) to report tuition, fees, enrollment dates, term dates, Yellow Ribbon • Notice of Change in Student Status (VAF 22-1999B) to report all changes to enrollment information (including those that do not result in a training time change) • May use paper forms or electronic enrollment (VA-ONCE) • Report all enrollments and changes within 30 days. NOTE: Enrollments may be reported 60 days prior to the start of the term

18. School Responsibilities • Report one term at a time (for schools on other than quarter or semester, report number of terms equal to a 15-week semester) • Monitor the subjects pursued by a student to certify to VA only those subjects that apply to the student’s program • Monitor student’s grades to ensure (s)he is making satisfactory progress; report unsatisfactory progress • Monitor student’s conduct and report when student is suspended or dismissed for unsatisfactory conduct.

19. School Responsibilities Keep the State Approving Agency (SAA) informed of: • New programs and changes in current programs • Changes in academic policies and procedures • Changes of address, phone numbers, certifying officials • Any other information required by the SAA. Keep up-to-date on current VA rules and benefits • Provide e-mail address to VA Education Liaison Representative (ELR) to be included on listserv • Read and maintain VA bulletins • Read and keep in a safe place a copy of the VA Benefits Handbook • Attend VA and SAA training opportunities • Enroll in VA on-line training.

20. School Responsibilities Responsibilities for maintaining records of VA students and making the records available for inspection: • Retain file of VA papers submitted & records of academic progress, program pursuit, etc. • Maintain records for at least three years following the student’s last date of attendance • Ensure that records are kept in a safe place and that the privacy of VA students is protected • Make available all school records to representatives of the SAA and VA. A school’s file for a VA student should contain: • Copies of all VA paperwork • The school’s transcript, grade reports, drop slips, registration slips (for those courses dropped during drop/add), transcripts from previous schools with evaluations of same, student’s school application, records of disciplinary action, program outline (to track proper courses taken), etc.

21. School Responsibilities Assist VA students in applying for education benefits: • Maintain copies of appropriate application forms • When requested, help veterans and dependents fill out and send in applications • If student cannot resolve pay problems, assist through VA channels designated for school officials • Disseminate and/or post information on VA education benefits, programs, and contact points • Ensure that VA students are fully aware of their responsibilities to the school and VA. Apprise supervisors of any internal problems that may affect service to VA students, such as: • Failure of records office to provide information on a student’s grades, grade changes, academic problems, etc. • Failure of instructors to provide information on attendance/attendance problems • Failure of other offices to provide information on new programs, changes in current programs, etc. • Failure of mail distribution center to forward appropriate mail.

22. Serving PCC Veterans & Dependents Help ease the transition from base to campus by: • Understanding they are not your ‘typical student’ although they may look like a typical student. (experiences, discipline, structure) • Understanding disorders, disabilities, and issues associated with veterans and dependents. • Developing sensitivity to needs of the veterans and dependents

23. PTSD and the Military • Types of events that can lead to PTSD: Combat, Missions that exposed you to horrible and life-threatening experiences. • Experts think PTSD occurs: • In about 30% of Vietnam veterans, or about 30 out of 100 Vietnam veterans. • In as many as 10% of Gulf War (Desert Storm) veterans, or in 10 veterans out of 100.9 • In about 6% to 11% of veterans of the Afghanistan war (Enduring Freedom), or in 6 to 11 veterans out of 100. • In about 12% to 20% of veterans of the Iraq war (Iraqi Freedom), or in 12 to 20 veterans out of 100. • Other factors in a combat situation can add more stress to an already stressful situation and may contribute to PTSD and other mental health problems. These factors include what you do in the war, the politics around the war, where it's fought, and the type of enemy you face. • Another cause of PTSD in the military can be military sexual trauma (MST). This is any sexual harassment or sexual assault that occurs while you are in the military. MST can happen to men and women and can occur during peacetime, training, or war.

24. PTSD and the Military • Traumatic war experiences often cause many of the following kinds of (often temporary) reactions in Veterans: • Unwanted remembering or re-experiencing Almost all Veterans experience difficulty controlling distressing memories of war. The experience of these memories can include: • Unwanted distressing memories as images or other thoughts • Feeling like it is happening again (flashbacks) • Dreams and nightmares • Distress and physical reactions (e.g., heart pounding, shaking) when reminded of the trauma

25. PTSD and the Military • Physical activation or arousal The body's fight-or-flight reaction to a life-threatening situation continues long after the event is over. It is upsetting to feel like your body is overreacting or out of control. • Difficulty falling or staying asleep • Irritability, anger, and rage • Difficulty concentrating • Being constantly on the lookout for danger (hyper-vigilance) • Being startled easily for example, when hearing a loud noise (exaggerated startle response) • Anxiety and panic • Shutting down: Emotional numbing When overwhelmed by strong emotions, the body and mind sometimes react by shutting down and becoming numb. As a result, veterans may have difficulty experiencing loving feelings or feeling some emotions, especially when upset by traumatic memories.

26. PTSD and the Military • Active avoidance of trauma-related thoughts and feelings Painful memories and physical sensations of fear can be frightening, so it is only natural to try to find ways to prevent them from happening. One way that most veterans do this is by avoiding anything people, places, conversations, thoughts, emotions and feelings, physical sensations that might act as a reminder of the trauma. • Depression Feelings of depression then lead a person to think very negatively and feel hopeless. (I'm not the same person I was). With time, and sometimes with the help of counseling. • Self-blame, guilt, and shame Many veterans, in trying to make sense of their traumatic war experiences, blame themselves or feel guilty in some way., it is very important to talk about guilt feelings with a counselor or doctor.

27. PTSD and the Military • Interpersonal problems Not surprisingly, the many changes noted above can affect relationships with other people. Trauma may cause difficulties between a veteran and his or her partner, family, friends, or co-workers. Particularly in close relationships, the emotional numbing and feeling of disconnection that are common after traumatic events may create distress and drive a wedge between the survivor and his or her family or close friends. The survivor's avoidance of different kinds of social activities may frustrate family members. Sometimes, this avoidance results in social isolation that hurts relationships. • Physical symptoms and health problems pain - physical pain often causes emotional distress and discomfort, the injury also reminds them of their trauma. Because traumas stress the body, they can sometimes affect physical health resulting in headaches, nausea or other stomach problems, and skin problems.

28. Future Goals to Help Better Service PCC Veterans • Establish a Veteran’s Club on campus • Hold a Veteran’s Orientation for New Veteran and Dependents • Establishing a Veteran’s Safe Zone on campus

29. Pitt Community College is rated in the top 15% of schools nationwide as a military- friendly school for 2010.

30. Websites • http://www.gibill.va.gov/ • http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/how-common-is-ptsd.asp