Veterans Affairs

SUMMER/FALL 2013 – VA COUNSELING

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center

As you may know, mesothelioma cancer is caused by previous exposure to asbestos.  Countless veterans and civilians who have worked in a shipyard or in the shipbuilding industry were exposed to asbestos while aboard naval ships, while repairing military vehicles and aircraft, and while residing in military housing.  Troops currently serving in Iraq & Afghanistan are also at risk of asbestos exposure, making this a very timely health and safely issue for veterans and all members of the military community.

The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center (MAA) Center has been recognized by the
Health on the Net Foundation as a reliable & trustworthy source of medical information on the web and is approved by Disability.gov as an excellent resource for veterans and all members of the military community.

Go to the following website to request more free information on treatment options, financial compensation, exposure sites, coping & support, plus much more.

http://www.maacenter.org/mesothelioma/veterans/,

www.Mesothelioma.as

www.Asbestos.net

http://www.asbestos.com/veterans/

http://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/life-expectancy.php

http://www.asbestos.com/veterans/assistance-program.php

http://www.mesotheliomahelpnow.com/veterans-and-mesothelioma

http://www.mesotheliomahelpnow.com/Resources/asbestos-and-the-navy

News:

More than two million service men and women have earned Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. To help those vets connect with a college or university of their choice, the American Council on Education (ACE) recently launched a college guidance Web site, www.TodaysGIBill.org. The Web site offers detailed information on the college selection, admissions, and financing processes. It also supplies information on college preparation, transferability of credits, institution and program choice, application timelines, and benefit eligibility. Visit www.TodaysGIBill.org to learn more.

Contact Information:

NMSU Alamogordo VA/Financial Aid (575) 439-3632
VA Muskogee 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Am I eligible to receive the Post 9/11 or Montgomery G.I. Bill? To find out if you are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill you may call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to speak with a Veterans Benefits Counselor.

• I am eligible for the GI Bill.  What do I do next? If you are eligible for the GI Bill please come visit the Financial Aid/VA office at NMSU Alamogordo in the Student Services building or contact us at (575) 439-3632.  We will help you apply for your benefits and provide more information.

• How soon should I start the application process to receive my benefits? It is recommended that you begin the application process early, since it can take some time to finish.

• I have used my GI Bill at another school, but I want to start taking classes at NMSU Alamogordo.  Do I still need to visit the VA/Financial Aid office? Yes, we need to process a transfer form in order to certify your attendance.

• If I drop a class will it affect my VA Benefits? Dropping a class can affect each student differently.  It is important that every student contact the VA/Financial Aid Office any time there is a change to your schedule.

• I am currently getting funding from the GI Bill.  Can I also receive financial aid at the same time? You may apply for financial aid while receiving GI BIll benefits.  To apply for grants and loans visit the FAFSA website at www.fafsa.ed.gov and then follow up with us within 5 – 10 business days.

• I have been attending class for two months, why haven’t I received any money? If at any time you think you are not receiving the proper amount of money or you find you are not receiving any money at all contact us immediately so that we may assist you. 

• Is it true that I have to contact the VA every month in order to keep receiving my payments for the semester? This is the case for some students on certain chapters of the GI Bill.  Call us to find out if this applies to you. If you know you need to do this, but forgot how: Call 1-877-823-2378 on the last day of each month.

• I applied for the GI Bill and have started taking classes.  How and when should I expect my first payment? Usually the VA pays every month for the previous month attended and usually students choose what type of payment (either check or automatic deposit) they want during the application process. Expect a payment by the middle of the month.
  

• Can I apply for the GI Bill as a non-degree seeking student? You can apply for the GI Bill as a non-degree seeking student as long as you change to degree seeking before your third term. For questions on changing to degree-seeking, contact the Admission and Records office at (575) 439-3700.
  

• I’m still Active Duty but I will be getting out soon.  How soon should I start applying for my GI Bill benefits? It is okay to apply early however we recommend that you wait to use your benefits until you separate from the military.

• Is there a certain number of credits that I need to take each semester in order to receive my GI Bill benefits? There is no minimum requirement for the number of classes you take; however, the amount of funding you receive does depend on how many classes you take. This is especially true with the Post 9/11 GI Bill where there are requirements to receive full benefits (Housing Allowance, and Books and Supply Stipend). You must be training above half time, cannot be in solely distance learning courses (online), and cannot be on active duty status.