May 2024, Volume 27

1. The 2024-2025 Yellow Ribbon application is available now!
   1. Incoming students for Fall/Term 4 2024 can now complete the 2024-2025 Yellow Ribbon application if pursuing an approved degree program and eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® at the 100% benefit rate. Students who are already participating in the Yellow Ribbon program do not need to re-apply unless changing degree objective, for example going from a Bachelors to Masters degree. For more information and to take a Yellow Ribbon questionnaire visit our Yellow Ribbon website. 
2. Preparing for the Summer 2024 Semester
   1. Are you taking Summer/Term 3 2024 classes? Make sure that you submit your Request for Certification (RFC) in a timely manner! Remember, our office will not certify your benefits until the add/drop deadline passes for your Summer course(s). This means that you will not receive a payment from the VA until about 2-3 weeks after your classes have started.
3. Preparing for the Fall 2024 Semester
   1. Are you taking Fall 2024 classes? Make sure that you submit your Request for Certification (RFC) in a timely manner! Remember, our office will not certify your benefits until the add/drop deadline passes for your Fall course(s). This means that you will not receive a payment from the VA until about 2-3 weeks after your classes have started. Also, please monitor your emails from announcements concerning Fall 2024 orientation and make sure that your Academic Advisor knows that you are using VA Education Benefits so that they can advise you on maximizing your VA education benefits while having the schedule you need academically!
4. The Health Insurance Fee Waiver deadline is coming up! 
   1. The deadline to submit a waiver for the 2024-2025 academic year is September 9, 2024. This is a mandatory fee and must be paid unless a waiver is submitted and approved. If you are receiving Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill® Benefits and need the university health insurance plan, you can also request to use your education benefits to cover all or a portion of the cost of the health insurance fee depending on your eligibility. Please note, this amount will be deducted from your GI Bill®/Yellow Ribbon cap. Please email veterans@american.edu if you would like to include your health insurance charge in the tuition and fees amount requested from the VA. 

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Led by the Department of Student Affairs, AU held six affinity graduations leading up to commencement weekend. On Tuesday, May 7th the Veteran and Military-Affiliated Affinity Graduation Celebration was held at Constitution Hall. It was a wonderful celebration of the academic achievement of our military-connected students while highlighting their experience and contribution to the AU community as student veterans and family of service members. Congratulations to our Spring 2024 graduating class! It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you during your time at American University. We commend your hard work and diligence to reach your educational goals. We wish you the greatest of luck in your post-graduation endeavors. Congratulations!

-The Veterans Services Team

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Steven Betsch (MPA ‘24), Louden Mazen (MS Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy ‘24), Rancier Gragirene (BA Political Science ‘24), and Joshua Strick (BA International Studies ‘24) are all Spring ‘24 graduates and members of the Veterans Services team as staff or VA work study students! Steven (second from the left) is currently the Veterans Services Coordinator with the AU Veterans Services Office and is motivated by helping others and seeing Veterans exceed their goals. Louden (not pictured) worked on the administrative side of the Work Study team, bringing the same diligence to his position as President for AU’s Military Connected Club. Rancier (far right) worked on both the communication and administrative sides of the Work Study team, continuing to bring his drive and grit as he pursues his MPA here at AU. Joshua (second from the right) worked on the administrative side of the Work Study team in which he brought new insights and perspectives to the services we provide, doing the same in his future career.

Also pictured are:

Chris Jelle (far left) a current AU student and previous member of the VA Work study team. Thank you Chris for your contributions to the Spring 2024 Affinity graduation celebration including a wonderful video recap of our military-connected community events over the last year and our message from the Military-connected president, Louden Mazen. 

Thank you for your contributions to the Veterans Services Office and for strengthening our military-connected community at AU! -Alicia Marsh, Associate Director Veterans Services (center)

Thank you to Justine Lee (current VA work study team member) for taking the lead in publishing this month's newsletter!