Inside this Month's Issue

Section 1 - Announcements: Account Balances, scheduling appointments, Fall 2023 commencement, and more!

Section 2 – Let’s Talk About Registration Readiness: Q&A with Professor Reggie Strar!

Section 3 – Calendar: Check out these upcoming events and important dates!

Section 4 – AU Veterans Spotlight: Mandy Mueller

Make sure to read News You Can Use Volumes 1 through 22 for other important announcements!

1. Have you received a “STOP” on your Eagle Service student account?
   1. Please be advised that the Veterans Services Team is working to lift financial restrictions on student accounts that are pending receipt of VA benefit payments which will pay for your account in full. We understand the complexity of this concern, as many students are preparing to register for the Spring 2023 semester or Term 1 2024. Scroll down to the article below “Let’s Talk About Registration Readiness” for more information!
2. Fall 2023 Commencement!
   1. Students who are serving on active duty, joining the Armed Forces, or authorized to wear military uniforms who have received permission from AU Commencement may wear formal dress unforms in lieu of rental regalia. Since tickets will not be distributed to students who do not purchase regalia and their cap and gown, you must notify the commencement team in order to qualify for commencement ceremony tickets and a parking pass.
   2. For more information, keep watch on AU’s Commencement page!
   3. December 17, 2023:
      1. 9:00 a.m.
         1. College of Arts and Sciences
         2. School of Public Affairs
         3. School of Communication
         4. Washington College of Law
      2. 1:30 p.m.
         1. Kogod School of Business
         2. School of International Service
         3. School of Education
         4. Professional Studies
3. Did you miss the Veterans’ Lounge?
   1. The Veterans’ Lounge is designated for all military-connected students. For access, please email veterans@american.edu from your AU email. Access to the Veterans’ Lounge is typically granted in 2-3 business days.
4. Still not sure how monthly enrollment verification works?
   1. Please remember to verify your enrollment each month with the VA! If you want to learn more, you can read the Veterans Affairs’ blog post about these changes or you can read News You Can Use Volume 6!
   2. Remember, the monthly enrollment verification is NOT the same as the Request for Certification. The Request for Certification is a document internal to American University Veterans Services and the Monthly Enrollment Verification is a Veterans Benefits Administration requirement. Please do not send an email to our office that says “yes” or “no” after the VA texts you to verify your enrollment. You need to respond directly to the VA through text if you opted into the text option.
5. Military-Connected Student Organizations:
   1. The American University Military-Connected Club is an official chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA), a 501(c)(3) coalition of student-veteran groups on college campuses across the globe. SVA’s parent chapter is located in Washington, DC. If you are looking for camaraderie, support, advocacy, and a deeper connection with other military-connected students, the AUMCC is perfect for you! You can join AUMCC here!

Do you want to meet with a member of the Veterans Services staff in person? Schedule an appointment today!

To schedule an in-person, telephone, or virtual appointment with the AU Veterans Services team, you can visit our You Can Book Me calendar. Due to the dynamics of our hybrid work schedule, we are only accepting appointments that are booked ahead of time

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*Professor Reggie Strar is a fictional character

Q: I keep getting emails about my balance that is due. Should I be worried?

A: Yes and No. There is a difference between a “Stop” and a “True Stop” concerning financial restrictions on student accounts. A “Stop” can be removed once our office confirms that your VA benefit payment will cover the cost of your Tuition and Fees that are overdue. A “True Stop” cannot be lifted be our office since we would anticipate VA benefit payments that would NOT cover the remaining balance on your account. Additionally, our office tracks and works to remove “Stops” at least 48 hours prior to registration for student accounts that are anticipating VA payments.

Q: How do I know my registration time for the upcoming semester?

A: Log onto myau.american.edu, go Eagle Service and select "Student Planning." To view section availability, navigate to the "Catalog" tab. Before processing registration, verify that the desired course sections are still open.

Q: How do I know what courses to register for the upcoming semester?

A: There are several ways to find out. You can either email your academic advisor, schedule an appointment, attend drop-in sessions, or view your program's possible 4-year plan here!

Q: How many credits do I need to register for to maximize my VA education benefits?

A: To qualify as a full-time student, one would have to register for:

• 12 - 17.5 credits for Undergraduate students
• 9 credits for Graduate students in Semester-Based Programs
• 6 credits for Graduate students in Term-Based Programs
• 12 credits for Washington College of Law

Q: What is the GI Bill® cap for the 2023- 2024 Academic Year?

A: $27,120.05 is the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) payment rates for the 2023 Academic Year (August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024)

Q: I have a block on my account and cannot register for class because the VA has not paid. What now?

A: If the VA has not yet paid funding that should be directly sent to the university by the day your registration opens and you still see a financial restriction, please e-mail veterans@american.edu.

Q: What do I need to submit to receive VA benefit payment for Spring 2024?

A: New Students: there are two steps you need to take. The first is to submit your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to our office by sending it to veterans@american.edu. Once we verify your eligibility, we will give you access to the Request for Certification (RFC) form.

Returning Students: You will submit your RFC once you have registered and confirmed your classes for the upcoming semester.

https://www.american.edu/veterans/important-forms.cfm (Green Box)

 

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November 2023: November is Military Family Month!

November 10, 2023: Veterans Day Ceremony & Reception, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. at American University Washington College of Law. To RSVP, please click here.

November 11, 2023: AU-Airlie 5K Fun Run Race and Fall Festival at AU’s Airlie Hotel, Conference Center and Farm near Warrenton, VA! For more information, please click here.

November 21, 2023: Tuesday classes cancelled; Friday classes meet.

November 22 - 26, 2023: Thanksgiving holiday; no classes; university offices closed Thursday and Friday.

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Mandy Mueller is currently an undergraduate student in the Public Health program at American University and hopes to graduate in April 2027. Mandy grew up and joined the United States Air Force in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was stationed in Colorado, Texas, California, Alaska, Turkey and finished her career at Walter Reed National Military Center, Bethesda, Maryland. She also deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq in 2005 and Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in 2007 and 2016-17. Mandy was a medic and taught EMS and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic. She retired in 2022 after 20 years of service. Next month she is graduating from the Clay Hunt Fellowship Program where she’s been learning how veterans can continue their service with pride and distinction. She hopes to keep serving her community and her church around her home in Rockville, Maryland.

I would like to say a special thank you to Mandy and all military Veterans in our AU community. We honor your service and dedication to your country and community. Thank you.
-Alicia Marsh, Associate Director, Veterans Services

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