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January 30th Newsletter

Pam Newton - Wednesday, January 29, 2025
 Events   Newsletter 

For our previous newsletters, click here
Click this link to connect with all MSS platforms

VCU Military student services January 2024

Table Of Contents

  1. Hot Topic
  2. School Certifying Official Updates
  3. Employment, Internship, and Volunteer Opportunities
  4. Employment / Internship / Volunteer / Professional Growth Opportunities
  5. SVA and MSS Updates and Events
  6. Everything Else / Extras

 Hot Topic 


Please be sure to schedule your academic advising appointment as needed for Summer or Fall registration

  • Summer 2025 course registration opens at 8AM on Feb 11th
  •  
  • Fall 2025 advance registration for Veteran or active duty students opens at 8AM on March 26.

 

Recent legislation on VA benefits.... Rudisill v. McDonough Supreme Court Decision

The Supreme Court decided that beneficiaries who earn educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and the Post-9/11 GI Bill (PGIB) may access benefits under either program for a maximum of 48 months of benefits (up from 36 months). Prior to the Court’s decision, though eligible for both benefits, beneficiaries who wanted to use their PGIB benefits had to forfeit using any remaining MGIB benefits. VA estimates this ruling applies to approximately 1,040,000 Veterans who may receive up to an additional 12 months of GI Bill entitlement. The VA has established a Rudisill decision landing page to provide additional information. If you have questions or think you might be eligible, please click here: Impact of Rudisill Supreme Court Decision on Veterans’ Education Benefits
 

School Certifying Official Updates

 A few quick reminders on benefits
 

  • If you are using Federal benefits such as the Post 9/11 Gi Bill, Chapter 35, Chapter 1606, Chapter 31 or Chapter 30, please be sure to submit your online “RFC” to request your benefits for the Spring term  You can access the RFC site here:  go.vcu.edu/militarystudents  You can always log back into your RFC to check on your benefit request stats.
  • If you are using State VMSDEP benefits, be sure to authorize them for Spring via the State VMSDEP portal here:  https://vmsdep.dvs.virginia.gov/user/login
  • If you are using “T/A” benefits as a Guard/Reserve member, please be sure to log into your branch T/A portal to authorize the benefit at least 30 days before the start of Spring classes.



If you are planning on using the "Installment Payment Plan" (IPP) for the Spring semester, the VCU Student Accounting Office opens the IPP sign up in early January.  The IPP would be for students who expect to have a remaining balance after your benefit is applied.  The IPP can break down your remaining balance into installments and is a good way to keep any registration holds off of your account.  Information on the IPP can be found here:  https://sfs.vcu.edu/billing-and-payments/installment-plan/

Prorated Payments:  For those students receiving Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill or Chapter 35 monthly cost of living payments, you will receive prorated payment amounts for December and January as you are not in classes for the full month.

Remaining Benefits:  As a reminder… it is your responsibility to track how much you have in remaining benefit time.  You can check and see how much you have in your Federal benefit by logging into your education portal at va.gov/education.  For VMSDEP students you can check your remaining number of semesters at https://vmsdep.dvs.virginia.gov/user/login

Financial Aid:  If you completed the FAFSA for the 2024-25 school year and are using Financial Aid, the FAFSA for the 2025-26 school year is now available online through the FAFSA website: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.  While you are home for the holidays, be sure to submit your FAFSA again for the 2025-26 school year.

We hope you are having a great spring semster!

Go Rams!

Employment, Internship, and Volunteer Opportunities

VCU Nonprofit, Public & Human Services Fair - Wednesday, February 5th 2025, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST
Richmond Salons on the second floor of the University Student Commons

Check it out here

VCU Engineering Internship and Career Fair - 

Wednesday, February 12th 2025, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm EST
401 West Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284


Check it out here

Scholarships and Professional Growth Opportunities

Scholoarship Links


  • Fisher House Scholarships
  • ThanksUSA Scholarships
  • VA-ACME Scholarships
  • Visit VCU’s National Scholarship Office for more.

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will open in a phased roll out in October 2024 to a limited number of participants. For more up to date information please visit the FAFSA site here.
Be sure to regularly check the RAMS Scholarship Hub for scholarship opportunities that are open to VCU students.
Don’t forget that the Military Student Services’ website also lists several scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically for veterans, service members, and their families: https://militaryservices.vcu.edu/scholarships-and-aid/

SVA and MSS Updates and Events

Mark Your Calendars: 


MSS Pizza Day: Join the MSS Staff and the SVA starting at 12:00 on Wednesday February 26th in office at 3122 Harris Hall. Free Pizza and Comaraderie!! Our Pizza Day is sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project this year. Many thanks for their support!! Register Here

MSS & SVA Hosted Dinner: Join the MSS & SVA for dinner at Memi's (a veteran owned business) on Thursday January 30th from 6-8 p.m. Come enjoy some great company and learn more about what the MSS & SVA does to support our veteran students. Register Here

Bi-Weekly SVA Meeting: Currious about what the SVA does and how we support our fellow military affliated students? Come on out to our next meeting on Wednesday, February 12th in the MSS office, Harris Hall Rm 3122. Register Here

Green Zone: Learn how to support Veterans and their families as they transition to civilian/student life on February 13th. This event is for those in a teaching and/or support role. Register Here

Extras

Free access to the great outdoors!

Veterans and their families are eligible to free lifetime access to all U.S. national parks.

Visit here to learn more

  • Department of Defense Identification Card
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
  • Veteran ID Card
  • Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card

 


Check out the Pineland Underground podcast.

“Join us as we explore critical topics to forge a holistic understanding of Special Warfare, and the role of Army Special Operations Forces of the past, present, and in the future of our National Defense.”
 

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Stephen Ross, Director                               (stross@vcu.edu)
Tres Morley, Assistant Director                   (wemorley@vcu.edu)   
Fran Chesler, School Certifying Official      (cheslerfl@vcu.edu)

Jerry Hunt, School Certifying Official          (huntgl@vcu.edu)
Pamella Newton, Communications Intern   (newtonp@vcu.edu)


Virginia Commonwealth University
Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success
Military Student Services

1015 Floyd Ave
Box 842536
Richmond, VA 23284
(804) 828-6563

militaryserv@vcu.edu
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