1/23: Message to the Membership
As the elected leadership of SVA, we feel that the most important elements of this organization are the member chapters and the student veterans on the ground at campuses all over the nation. SVA has gone through many phases, from our initial high focus on advocacy, to our focus on growth. In each phase of SVA's development we have been exceptionally successful. Unfortunately these different focuses have sometimes left other facets of SVA's mission untended. As your elected representatives we, and the entire board, are working hard to rebalance SVA's priorities so that this organization can more effectively support its member chapters.
Over the past year, we have stood up the chapter grant program to provide direct funding for activities. This effort will continue and we are working hard to fund the chapter grant program so that we can provide chapters with the support they need to execute their missions. SVA will be establishing a national scholarship program to fill the gap left by insufficient funding from the post 9/11 GI Bill directly. We are also working hard to develop partnerships and programs with the Wounded Warrior Project, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, American Corporate Partners, The VFW, and the American Legion. We are establishing formal agreements with each of these organizations and will continue to expand and develop our partnerships to include any organization that helps veterans in higher education. Our advocacy mission continues under the able leadership of Brian Hawthorne and SVA's Legislative Committee. We are working hard to make a positive impact on the lives of our members. For more information on SVA's strategic plan see http://studentveterans.org/resourcelibrary/
As leaders, we understand that transparency is of the utmost importance to our members. We respect that some member chapters will have questions and concerns regarding the conduct of the board and the distribution of funds. SVA has recently completed an audit, the results of which can be found here {http://studentveterans.org/resourcelibrary/}. SVA is committed to the highest possible level of transparency, and will continue to update the meeting minutes from board meetings on our website. While posting of board documents for the public may lag at times because SVA is run by student veterans, our accounting and financial oversight never does. Rodrigo Garcia is responsible for overseeing all expenditures. His work is checked by Luke Stalcup, another board member, and ultimately the board approves all budgets and expenses. As our audit shows, we take our financial responsibilities very seriously, and will continue to hold ourselves and SVA to the highest standards for non-profit accounting. We are proud to say, both to donors and to members, that SVA is managing its finances responsibly.
During the fall of 2009 SVA established a national conference planning committee under the board of directors. This committee, with oversight from the board, is, and has been working hard to make SVA's 2010 conference its best yet. However, both the board and the committee are not yet prepared to execute this national conference during the spring semester of 2010. Rather, because the most important work that SVA does as an organization is done regionally, SVA will be holding five regional conferences before the national conference.
These conferences are not in lieu of a national conference, but instead are part of one continuous process that will occur throughout the year. They will be held during the spring semester, and will bring together member chapters from each region. At these conferences actionable proposals for adjusting SVA's structure can be produced, a set of coherent priorities for the region and the nation will be established, and state and regional leaders can be identified. Each region will then bring the fruits of their labor to the national conference, which will be held at the beginning of the fall semester. This will be a constructive process of building national unity and cohesion from the bottom up. Through a generous grant from the Woodruff Foundation SVA is able to provide $6800 for each of these conferences.
SVA continues to endure because of the dedication of our members. Your questions, concerns, and input are always welcomed by your elected officers and leaders. We encourage your involvement and we also appreciate your efforts at the local and state level. Your patience is greatly appreciated during the planning process of these conferences. However, should you have any questions, contact us.
-SVA Leadership
1/18 - SVA Supports IAVA in Chase Community Giving
Help your brothers and sisters at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America! IAVA is a charity under consideration for the Chase Community Giving 1 million dollar grant! Through Facebook, Chase Community Giving is allowing YOU to decide which charity the money goes to!
PLEASE VOTE HERE: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/1111273 We wish IAVA the best of luck in their challenge!
1/12 - Bob Woodruff Foundation Helps SVA Celebrate 2nd Anniversary with Grant to Assist Student Veterans
Student Veterans of America Announces 2nd Anniversary and Reception of Grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation
WASHINGTON, DC - Student Veterans of America proudly announces its 2nd anniversary, its growth to 246 chapters in only two years and the beginning of its partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation to assist veterans succeed in attaining a college degree.
Since SVA's initial founding on January 12th of 2008, the organization has grown from its initial 20 chapters to more than 246 college campuses across the United States. In this time, SVA and its members have played a major role in the passage of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, has established its national headquarters in Washington, D.C. with the support of the Wounded Warrior Project and has worked to help thousands of veterans transition to college.
SVA has accomplished a great deal in a very short time, but much remains to be done. While many arrive home safely, many return with hidden wounds and are lost to an unseen enemy. "As a nation we have a responsibility to help our returning veterans so they can succeed when they arrive to campus and are not lost to the psychological barriers facing them." said Derek Blumke, President Student Veterans of America.
To address the mental health crisis facing service members and veterans arriving to college campuses and to facilitate the creation of programs to assist wounded, injured and ill veterans transition to college Student Veterans of America was recently awarded a grant for $85,000 by the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
"Student Veterans of America is an incredible organization doing great things for the young men and women returning home and we are proud to help them in accomplishing their mission." -Rene Bardorf, Executive Director Bob Woodruff Foundation.
12/3 - SVA Testifies to Congress Advocating for Needed Updates to Post 9/11 GI Bill
Today, SVA Legislative Director, Brian Hawthorne testified to Congress asking for expedited claims processing times to get GI Bill benefits out for those who have yet to receive their checks. Brian, on behalf of SVA's Legislative Committee spoke on these bills currently in Congress:
H.R. 2928, incorporating Apprenticeship and On-The-Job Training Programs into the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill
H.R. 3554, granting Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to service members activated as part of the National Guard
H.R. 3467 and 3661, mandating that the housing allowance be granted to distance education students, thereby enabling an additional 100,000 student veterans to receive housing and living support.
In addition to the support of the preceding bills, SVA recommended that Congress pass legislation to urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to distribute GI Bill housing stipends at the beginning of each month so veterans can pay their bills and their rent on time and as soon as they begin school; to remove the irrevocable decision requirement for veterans so should they find another benefit is better for them they can change back to another benefit; and to allow the Post 9/11 GI Bill to pay for multiple certification examinations, to ensure veterans are able to be properly licensed.
Finally, he spoke before the Subcommittee about increasing the accountability over VA Certifying Officials on campus to ensure proper information is reaching our student veterans and sponsoring legislation to transfer Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to the survivors of our nation's fallen heroes.
11/6 - SVA Offers Our Thoughts and Prayers to Those Affected by Tragedy at Fort Hood
Student Veterans of America wishes to extend our sincerest sympathies to all those affected by the tragedy at Fort Hood. While every soldier's death is a loss that leaves our nation without words or an explanation, those lost yesterday will leave our country in a state of mourning not soon to be forgotten.
While more information will be released about this incident and while we will learn more about the events leading to this unnecessary tragedy, what remains very clear is that we as a nation must come together to support those serving in harm's way and those around the world wearing the uniform.SVA would like to share its deepest condolences with the families, friends and fellow soldiers who lost one of their loved ones and extend our prayers for a speedy recovery to those injured.
10/27 - 2010 SVA National Conference Location
SVA is pleased to announce that Boston, MA was selected to host the 2010 Annual Student Veterans of America National Conference. The National Conference will take place in April 2010. Stay tuned for further details.
10/1 - VFW National Commander Thomas Tradewell Issues "Call to Action" for VFW Posts to Assist Transporting Student Veterans to VA Regional Offices
News Release from the VFW:
"Today, I urge every VFW Post to reach-out to their respective student veteran communities. One easy way to do this is to first determine if there is a Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter on campus. The SVA has a chapter locator that can be accessed by going to their website: http://www.studentveterans.org/chapters/chapterlocator.php and makes it easy to contact the student group and offer assistance. Since one of the SVA's primary goals is to connect with groups with resources from outside their campuses to help meet the common needs of student veterans, they can help coordinate with VFW Posts and students needing transportation assistance. Otherwise, I encourage any VFW Post with a college campus anywhere in their vicinity, to contact the campus veterans representative or Dean's office to help facilitate assistance."
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=5227
9/30 - Secretary Shinseki Announces Ability to Sign Up for Emergency Education Benefit Payments on VA Website this Friday
News Release from the VA:
Vans to Help Veteran-Students
WASHINGTON - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.
"Our Veterans went the extra mile for their country," Shinseki said. "One of our top priorities in transforming VA is to be, first and foremost, the advocate for Veterans."
Last week Shinseki announced that on Friday, Oct. 2, VA's 57 regional benefits offices will begin providing on-the-spot emergency payments up to $3,000 to students who have applied for their education benefits but who have not yet received a government payment.
Citing the distance many Veterans would have to travel to apply in person at a VA benefits office, Shinseki announced Veterans can also apply online at www.va.gov, starting Oct. 2. The online application will guide Veterans through the process to supply needed information. Shinseki noted that online applicants will receive their emergency payments through the mail after processing.
"VA is adapting to meet the financial needs of our Veteran-students who are on campus," Shinseki said. "They should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties."
Students without their own transportation can also request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest benefits office. To obtain this service, Veterans would have to call their nearest VA medical center and ask for the 'Volunteer Transportation Coordinator.' Transportation will be on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Veterans can find a map and list of medical centers at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1.
Whether traveling by personal vehicle or volunteer van, VA officials suggest students check their mail boxes and banking accounts before leaving home, since some Veterans will find their checks have already arrived. VA would like to recognize the volunteers and Veterans Service Organizations for partnering with the Department to ensure that Veterans' needs are met.
The emergency checks are an advance on each student's education benefits, and the amount will be deducted from future benefits payments. Checks will be written at the regional offices for Veterans who bring a photo ID and evidence of their enrollment. VA officials emphasize that $3,000 is the maximum payment, with many Veterans receiving smaller payments based upon their likely monthly education benefits.
A map and list of the participating VA regional benefits offices is available on the Internet at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=3. The most updated information regarding VA issuing emergency checks will be available at VA's web site www.va.gov starting Oct. 1.
Applications from approximately 25,000 Veterans are currently being processed for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit payments to students or schools.
9/25 - Student Veterans of America Praises VA Action
Secretary being "Responsive and Proactive"
WASHINGTON, DC - Student Veterans of America strongly supports the Department of Veterans Affairs decision Friday to provide advanced payments for up to $3,000 to veterans who are currently waiting for the first housing allowance payment under the Post-9/11 GI Bill starting October 2, 2009. In response, Student Veterans of America released the following statement:
"We are thrilled to see the VA act quickly in response to recent pressure from the student veteran community to remedy problems with the implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. While this measure does not address the issue of backlogs or the lack of transparency in processing, it certainly shows that Secretary Shinseki is being responsive and proactive. Student Veterans of America is proud to be working with the Secretary and the Department of Veterans Affairs to reach the veterans on campuses who need these benefits.
"Our members and other student veterans should understand that this money is advanced funding and will be deducted from future payments. This is not an additional payment over the benefits that they will be entitled throughout the school year."
Student Veterans of America has received numerous reports of veterans falling behind in class for being unable to afford books and, worse, an Arizona veteran approaching a food bank for support. Student Veterans of America has been working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the White House, and Members of Congress to ensure these problems are remedied quickly.
On Wednesday, Executive Director Derek Blumke sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans of Affairs Eric K. Shinseki requesting immediate action to inform waiting student veterans of when their living and books stipend and tuition payments will be paid.
Student Veterans of America played an important role in passing the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which was signed into law by President Bush in June 2008. The bill provides veterans who have served after September 11, 2001, with full in-state tuition and a stipend for books and living expenses.
The VA has been accepting applications for this benefit since May 1, 2009, and has been accepting school enrollment certifications since July 6, 2009. In that time, 277,403 claims have been filed, and VA has completed action on 205,074 of those claims. But as of September 16, 2009, the VA has distributed only 33,000 payments for living and books stipends and just 20,000 tuition payments.
9/22 - Have You Received Your Post 9/11 G.I. Bill Benefits?
In order for SVA to advocate on your behalf and help get the G.I. Bill implemented, we need to hear from you! Email any G.I. Bill problems you have encountered or hardships you have faced as a result of delays in payments to gi.bill@studentveterans.org. -SVA Team