NOTICE
UPDATE!
President Trump signed S.3503 into law on March 21, 2020.
Based on the new law, Post-9/11 GI Bill students who pursue resident courses converted to an online modality solely due to COVID-19 will continue to receive the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) rate for resident training. The law only authorizes this special authority from March 1, 2020, to December 21, 2020. The new law applies equally to current and new students enrolled in the converted courses.
Note:
Only converted courses - online courses cannot be paid as resident courses.
The Military & Veteran Services – Office Location will be closed from March 23, 2020 – April 03, 2020, in accordance with the University response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the office location may be closed, our staff is available as always to assist you with your military and veteran educational questions and inquires; as well as any additional resources you may need.
You can contact the MVS Staff Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm at: Phone: (909) 748-8337, Text: (909) 213-4220, E-mail: military@redlands.edu or monique_pope@redlands.edu. Virtual meetings are held here.
I have received quite a few phone calls concerning how the closing of the campuses and the change of learning modality will affect students' monthly housing who are receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill
VA Vocational Rehabilitation – Post-9/11 rate of payment and Fry Scholarship.
What We Know
The Senate and the House passed S.3503 and is expected to be signed into law by President Trump. S.3503 will give the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the authority to continue GI Bill payments uninterrupted in the event of national emergencies, like the current COVID-19 pandemic. The new law allows for the VA to continue to pay benefits regardless of the fact that the program has changed from resident training to online training. Also, students will continue to receive the same monthly housing allowance payments that they received for resident training until January 01, 2021, or until the school resumes normal operations of resident training.
The VA is currently working to implement the new changes to address current and future school terms to ensure students continue to receive their education benefits. There is no action required from students. As a student, if you have questions about your specific circumstances, you can contact the Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551.
Commencement News!
In an effort to minimize the risk of Coronavirus (COVD-19) on our campus and in our community and follow health mandates to eliminate gatherings greater than 50 people, I regret to inform you, this years’ Military & Veteran Commencement Luncheon scheduled for March 28, 2020, has been postponed.
Our office will contact you in the near future with the rescheduled date and time for the Military & Veteran Commencement Luncheon.
Sincerely, Monique Pope, Director, Military & Veteran Services
MISSION STATEMENT
The Military and Veterans Department provides military members, veterans, and their families with the highest level of support, dedication, and services in order to ensure they achieve their educational goals in a supportive environment with adequate and appropriate resources and support staff.
