Financial Aid, Student Affairs, and the System

Working together for our Veterans

Bridgette IngramHeather Fountain

Agenda

• Student Veterans’ Concerns

• Veterans Support at Texas A&M University

• Connecting with the Texas A&M System

• Benefits

Agenda

• Beginning Attendance• Return of Title IV Aid• Cost of Attendance Proration• Award Proration• 150% Subsidized Loan Limits• 600% Pell Limit• Satisfactory Academic Progress• Scholarships

Student Veterans’ Concerns

• Financial Concerns– Tuition– Room and Board– Childcare– Health Care and Insurance

• Academic Concerns– Admissions Process– Graduating on time

Student Veterans’ Concerns

• Personal/Social Concerns– Feelings of isolation or alienation

• Non-traditional students with uncommon experiences• No battle buddies

– Transitioning to civilian life– Possible anger, relationship, or trust issues– Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain

Injury– Incorporating family into local community

Student Veterans’ Concerns

Agenda

• Beginning Attendance• Return of Title IV Aid• Cost of Attendance Proration• Award Proration• 150% Subsidized Loan Limits• 600% Pell Limit• Satisfactory Academic Progress• Scholarships

Veterans Support at Texas A&M University

Veteran Services Office

• Located within Scholarships & Financial Aid Office.• Under Division of Academic Services

• Office Structure• Assistant Director• Advisors

• One dedicated to VA processing• One dedicated to Hazlewood processing

• Customer Service Representative• Graduate Assistant • Five VA Work Study Students

Veteran Services Office

• Processes federal and state education benefits.• Provides scholarship and financial aid advising.• Awards scholarships to military affiliated

students.• Ensures compliance with federal and state

veteran benefit policies and regulations.• Primary responder to military friendly surveys

and data requests.

Veteran Resource and Support Center

• Under the Division of Student Affairs• Office Structure

• Director• Admissions Counselors

• Two dedicated to military admissions• Report to Office of Admissions• Housed with VRSC

• Office Manager• Nine VA Work Study Students

Veteran Resource and Support Center

• Connects prospective military affiliated students with Admissions Counselors.

• Increases and improves campus and community support for students and connects students to these resources.

• Advises veteran focused student organizations.• Hosts trainings to educate faculty and staff on

student veterans’ strengths and challenges.• Coordinates multiple campus programs.

Collaboration

• VetSuccess on Campus Counselor• Co-chair Troops to College • Co-present New Student Conference

presentations• Utilize VA Work Study Students• Vet Camp• Boots to Backpacks• Veteran Graduation Cord Ceremony

Agenda

• Beginning Attendance• Return of Title IV Aid• Cost of Attendance Proration• Award Proration• 150% Subsidized Loan Limits• 600% Pell Limit• Satisfactory Academic Progress• Scholarships

Connecting with the Texas A&M System

Veterans Support Office

• Part of the Office of the Chancellor• Provides leadership, guidance, and coordination of

services and support.• Collects veteran related data across Texas A&M

System• Connect veteran services offices across System

– Networking– Best Practices– Veteran Services Topics

• Military Friendly Symposium• A&M Military Friendly Listserv

Agenda

• Beginning Attendance• Return of Title IV Aid• Cost of Attendance Proration• Award Proration• 150% Subsidized Loan Limits• 600% Pell Limit• Satisfactory Academic Progress• Scholarships

Website

Agenda

• Beginning Attendance• Return of Title IV Aid• Cost of Attendance Proration• Award Proration• 150% Subsidized Loan Limits• 600% Pell Limit• Satisfactory Academic Progress• Scholarships

Benefits

Benefits

• Separation of duties– Focus on area of expertise– Peak seasons differ between offices– Divide and conquer

• Communication across divisions• Increases veteran awareness throughout

campus

Summary

• Student Veterans Concerns• Veterans Support at Texas A&M

University• Connecting with the Texas A&M

System• Benefits