Inside this Month’s Issue:

• Section 1 - Announcements: Updated 2022-2023 GI Bill® & Yellow Ribbon payment rates, health insurance fee waiver, and monthly enrollment verification FAQs
• Section 2 – Knowledge Article of the Month: Fall 2022 FAQs
• Section 3 – Calendar: Check out these upcoming events and important dates!
• Section 4 - AU Veterans Spotlight: Meet Erica Lesto!

Announcements

Make sure to read News You Can Use Volumes 1 through 12 for other important announcements!

1. Have you updated your student email on Outlook? 
   • Students, your email now comes to your Outlook inbox! This change means that you will have access to the full Office 365 suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneDrive, etc.)
   • Your AU Gmail account and Google Apps (Sheets, Docs, etc.) will remain available, but will not receive new emails.
2. Active-duty service members can now receive Yellow Ribbon funds!
   Attention: Effective August 1, 2022, you may become eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program if you’re currently an active-duty service member who qualifies at the 100% level (you already served on active duty for at least 36 months) or if you’re a spouse using the transferred benefits of an active-duty service member who meets these qualifications. Fill out our Yellow Ribbon Eligibility Quiz to see if you meet the preliminary requirements to participate in the program!
3. Remember to waive your health insurance fee!
   If you are already covered under a health insurance plan and are attending American University as a full-time student, you can login to the Academic Health Plans student portal to waive American University’s mandatory health insurance fee. The deadline to submit a waiver for the 2022-2023 academic year is September 12, 2022. Visit here to obtain proof of insurance under Tricare in order to submit a Health Insurance Waiver. If you are receiving Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill® Benefits, you can also request to use your education benefits to cover the cost of the health insurance fee. Please note, this amount will be deducted from your GI Bill®/Yellow Ribbon cap. Please email veterans@american.edu to include your health insurance charge in the tuition and fees amount requested from the VA.
4. It is time submit your Request for Certification!
   Did you already submit your Request for Certification to the American University Veterans Services Office? If so, then you are on track to receive your VA education benefits in a timely manner. Please be advised that final certifications for Post 9/11 GI Bill® recipients will not be processed until after the add/drop deadline. This is to account for any changes in enrollment that could impact your benefit payment rate. Click here for more information about our certification process!
5. Are you seeing an amount due on your student account?
   Don’t Panic! If you submitted your Request for Certification for Chapter 33 (Post-9/11) or Chapter 31 (VR&E) benefits, your VA education benefits are pending approval and will be dispersed in a timely manner. Please be advised that certifications will not be processed until after the add/drop deadline. This is to account for any changes in enrollment that could impact your VA benefits eligibility. It also means that you should expect to receive your first payment around the 6th and 8th week of the semester. The VA payment will either be sent to you directly or to your student account, depending on VA education benefit type. For more information on VA education benefits, check out these helpful FAQs about different types of Veterans education benefits.
6. Did you miss the Veterans' Lounge?
   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
7. Still not sure how monthly enrollment verification works?
   If you have not received an opt-in text message from the VA to verify your enrollment at the end of each month, please contact the GI Bill ® hotline at: 888-442-4551 to verify that your cell phone information is on file and to opt-in to the text message monthly verification option before this requirement goes into effect at the end of January 2022. Those who fail to verify their enrollment for two consecutive months will have their Monthly Housing Allowance and kicker payments put on hold. 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!

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Fall 2022 FAQs

Q: I've completed the request for certification, but the VA has not paid tuition yet, why?

A: We certify your enrollment without tuition and fees prior to the add/drop deadline. This starts your Monthly Housing Allowance. After the add/drop deadline, final certifications with tuition and fees are sent in.

Q: It's after the add/drop deadline, the VA has still not paid, why?

A: Payments are not "instant" after the deadline. Please allow 3-6 weeks. Late payments are not uncommon. AU will not penalize you for this

Q: I've called the VA education and training helpline, and they said the funds have been paid. Why is it not showing up in my account?

A: There are a few days between the time the money is wired, cleared, and posted to your account; the payments may be in "pending" until the money posts to your account.

Q: I'm a Graduate student enrolled in a program with modular classes; why hasn't the VA paid for all classes?

A: The VA will not pay until your classes begin. If you have a class in August, then one that starts in October, your classes will not be paid until they begin.

Q: What is the GI Bill® cap for the 2022- 2023 Academic Year?

A: $26,381.37 is the Post-9/11 GI Bill®(Chapter 33) payment rates for the 2022 Academic Year (August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023)

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 by the day your registration opens, please e-mail Veterans@american.edu

Q: I'm using VA benefits and enrolled at AU but the VA has not yet paid tuition or BAH, why?

A: You likely have not completed the request for certification.

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September 2022 Calendar

We wish all of our new & returning students a happy start to the 2022-23 Academic Year!
Don’t miss these important deadlines and upcoming events!

September 2, 2022: Washington College of Law; Last day to drop a fall course for a 100% without a “W” recorded.

September 4, 2022: Online Programs in SOC, SPA, CAS, and OGPS; Last day to drop a Fall A course for a 100% refund and without a “W” recorded

September 5, 2022: Labor Day, no classes and university offices closed. The Veterans Services office will also be closed this day!

September 9, 2022: Alexandria, VA National Cemetery Day of Service. Event details here!

September 12, 2022: Last day to drop a fall course for a 100% without a “W” recorded. Also last day to add a fall course, internship, independent reading, or research project.

September 10, 2022: Four-Term Online Programs; Make up classes for those not held on Labor Day

September 13, 2022: Fall withdrawal period begins and 50% refund on classes

September 14, 2022: 2022 Virginia Veterans & Military Affairs Conference in Richmond, VA. More details here!

September 14 and 15 2022: Military-Affiliated Student Welcome/Veterans Lounge Open House More details here!

September 15, 2022: Serving With Pride: LGBTQ+ DC Veterans RoundTable.

September 25, 2022: Four-Term Online Programs; End of Term

September 29, 2022: DC Veterans Monthly RoundTable. Registration is free!

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AU Veteran Spotlight

Erica Lesto

Erica is from Luzerne, Pennsylvania and joined the US Army Medical Corps on Active Duty in 2002. She served during Operation Iraqi Freedom with the first mission for Task Force ODIN alongside the 25th Infantry Division. After deployment, she moved to Fort Myer, Arlington Virginia where she finished her ten-year career. She was medically retired from service and enrolled in school immediately. Erica graduated with a BA in Psychology from Marymount University and an MA in Sociology and a certificate in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from American University in May 2019. She is currently and adjunct professor for the Department of Sociology and an Academic Advisor for the College of Arts and Science. Erica can be found in leadership and mentor roles for several student clubs and groups to include the American University Military Connected Club, Veterans Services Support Network, AU It's on Us, and the AU Ski and Snowboard Club. She lives in Reston with her partner Kiel and their two cats, Medea and Morgan.

“I’ve recently had the pleasure of meeting Erica after she so graciously volunteered her time and expertise by becoming a member of AU’s Veterans Services Support Network. Not only is Erica fostering an inclusive learning environment for Student Veterans and military-connected folks on campus, but it is obvious that she deeply cares for ALL of her students and works tirelessly to meet their needs. I have personally witnessed her passion for making each and every one of her students feel welcome and appreciated on campus on multiple occasions. I am thrilled to have Erica as a colleague and even more proud to call her my friend and fellow sister in service (Hooah!).”
- Dymeah Casey; Assistant Director Veterans Services

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