Veterans' Voice
Fall 2015
Veterans Week Events
Join Combat to College in celebrating Veterans Day by participating in events throughout the week of November 9-13:
Transfer Colleges for Student Veterans
Tuesday, November 10, 9am-12pm
Lewis University and Trident University Veterans' Coordinators will be in S-Street to talk to potential transfer students using military benefits. This is a great opportunity to discussing transferring to a 4-year university with individuals familiar with veteran benefits!
Veterans Day Awareness
Wednesday, November 11, 11am-2pm
Combat to College will be hosting a Yellow Ribbon signing in S Street. There will be lots of prizes and giveaways for those who stop by!
Veterans Day Ceremony
Thursday, November 12, 10am-11:15am
The College's annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held in the M Building in Moraine Room 1. The event will include a wreath laying ceremony to honor the fallen. In addition, AmeriCorps VISTA members Keisha Escamilla and Linda Bradshaw will be honored as members of the National Veteran Corp. College President Dr. Jenkins and Associate Professor Ricky Moore will be offering remarks. Refreshments will be served immediately following the ceremony. Please attend this event meant to honor all US veterans here at Moraine Valley and across the world.
Community Resources Exhibit & Yellow Ribbon Signing
Thursday, November 12, 11am-1pm
Local partners such as Orland Park Veteran Center and Will County Veteran Assistance
Commission staff will be in the S-Street immediately following the Ceremony. Stop by their tables to learn more about resources for veterans and their families. Visitors will also be able to view and sign Yellow Ribbons in honor of Veterans Day along S-Street.
Combat to College Movie Day
Friday, November 13, 11am-2pm
Combat to College will be playing scary movies in U111 for Friday the 13th. There will be concessions on sale and all proceeds go to the Combat to College club!
**S-Street is the corridor connecting the U and S Building.
Upcoming Combat to College Meeting
Free Pizza!
Please join the next Combat to College meeting. C2C meetings are informal gatherings to socialize and stay updated on the club's activities. Contact C2C at c2c@morainevalley.edu or Club President Keisha Escamilla at escamillak4@student.morainevalley.edu.
Upcoming Meetings:
November 19th, 1pm
December 3, 1pm
Thursday, Nov 19, 2015, 01:00 PM
Building U, Room U205
Resources for Success
Academic Skills Center and Tutoring, L200 & A181, (708) 974-5425: The center offers free services including tutoring, learning skills workshops, networking and access to supplemental educational materials to all Moraine Valley students. Tutoring Schedules available in the Veteran Resource Center.
Speaking & Writing Center, A258, (708) 608-4216: The Writing and Speaking Center will assess any work of writing, including essays, application letters, poems, lab reports and personal stories for free.
Center for Disability Services, S114 , (708) 974-5711: The Center for Disabilities Services provides accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Job Resource Center, S202, (708) 974-5737: The Job Resource Center provides students with tools to prepare a professional resume, search for jobs on and off-campus, and explore internship and career opportunities. The Center also assists in converting military occupations and skill-sets to the civilian sector.
Upcoming Events
November 9 – 13: Veterans' Week
November 10: Lewis and Trident University in "S Street", 9am-12pm
November 11: Final Tuition Payment Due
November 11: Combat to College Yellow Ribbon Signing & Giveaways in "S Street"
November 12: Veteran’s Day Ceremony & Reception, 10am in the M Building
November 18 – 24: Priority Registration for Military and Veteran Students
November 25 – 29: Thanksgiving Break, No Classes
December 4 – 10: Final Exam Week
Academic Reminders
TRANSCRIPTS
Military students must submit official transcripts from any previous colleges and/or universities before they will be certified for a second semester! Official transcripts and a Transcript Evaluation Form should be brought to the Records’ Office in Building S, Room S111 before Spring 2016 registration.
NON-ATTENDANCE
It is every student's responsibility to attend class; students who do not attend class will be report to the VA for non-attendance. This will result in students owing the VA for any funds distributed for the course(s) including tuition, fees, book stipend and BAH. If you no longer wish to be in a class, notify the Veteran Service Office and officially drop or withdraw from the course as soon as possible. Withdraws and drops can be completed in the Registration Office in Building S, Room S103.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
Students who wish to alter their course schedule (add, drop, withdraw) must notify the Veteran Service Office in Building S, Room S216B. It is the student's responsibility to then complete the schedule change via the Registration Office in Building S, Room S103. Please note any schedule changes may affect your VA benefits; notifying the Veteran Service Office prior to course changes helps prevent overpayments from the VA.
VETERAN SEMESTER INTAKE FORMS
All students using federal VA education benefits are required to meet with an academic advisor (Building S, Room S201) and complete their Veteran Intake Forms in the Veteran Resource Center (Building S, Room S216) prior to registering every semester!
Resource Spotlight: Free Dental Care
Dentists across the United States proudly serve those who served.
Bartz & Bartz Dental at 87th Street and S. Ridgeland Ave will be hosting its first Veteran’s Smile Day on November 11th!
Dental Care will be provided for Veterans free of charge or at a greatly reduced fee, depending on the treatment provided.
Please call 708-430-4440 to make an appointment. No walk-ins will be accepted.
*This is a third party not associated with Moraine Valley.
Financial Aid Assistance
Need to Apply for Financial Aid?
All students using military benefits are encouraged to apply for financial aid! If you need assistance completing the FAFSA, updating or correcting your FAFSA or reviewing your Student Aid Report, stop by the S Building to receive free help! Representatives from Illinois Student Assistance Commission will be on campus from 10am-2pm every Monday (except Oct. 12) in S101 to help with all your financial aid questions.
Already have Financial Aid?
Moraine Valley Financial Aid Staff will be available every Monday through November 16 to answer questions regarding using financial aid at Moraine Valley. Stop by room U111 in the U Building from 12-1pm to have your financial aid questions answered!
Veteran Resource Center
The VRC is open Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm. Visit the VRC today for:
- A quiet place to finish homework or relax between classes
- MVCC Tutoring Schedules
- Free Printing
- Scanning/Faxing Services
- State and Federal Benefit Information
- On- and Off-Campus Connections
Don't hesitate to reach out to staff with any questions or concerns during your time here at Moraine!
Email: linda.bradshaw@morainevalley.edu
Website: https://www.morainevalley.edu/student-success/support-services/veterans-services/
Location: Building S, Room S216
Phone: (708) 608-4321
Question about Your VA Payments?
The State Approving Agency in St. Louis is currently experiencing a high volume of benefit certifications. This is delaying VA payments for many students.
In order to receive information regarding your VA payments, you can call the VA Education Hotline at the number listed below. Hotline staff can only provide payment information if your certification has been fully processed by the VA. Moraine Valley staff does not have specific information regarding when the VA sends payments to individual students.
Students are also able to find the answers to many questions on the GI Bill FaceBook page and GI Bill FAQs website listed below. Students can also submit their own questions and receive an answer in 4-5 work days.
Website: https://gibill.custhelp.com/app/home
Phone: (888) 442-4551
Facebook: facebook.com/gibillEducation