Wounded Warrior and Veterans Education Assistance Fund

The Office of Veterans Services (OVS) will be awarding scholarships from the Wounded Warrior and Veterans Education Assistance Fund for the spring 2014 term. Applications will be accepted until February 6, 2014. To be eligible, you must be a wounded veteran, or the dependent or spouse of a fallen or wounded veteran, or a veteran. Find more information. More>

January Events

January 14: Résumé Workshop

4-5 p.m., The McCarl Center for Nontraditional Student Success, fourth floor, Cathedral of Learning

Join your fellow veterans, OVS staff, and VA representatives to learn how to translate your job skills into a successful résumé. In this workshop, you will learn how to best incorporate your military service in your résumé and emphasize transferable skills, as well as hear effective interviewing tips. You are encouraged to bring your résumé to have individual questions answered.

January 16: Call of Duty: Ghosts Tournament

5:30 p.m., The McCarl Center for Nontraditional Student Success, fourth floor, Cathedral of Learning. 

The Office of Veterans Services and the Student Veterans Association (Pitt Vets) are hosting a Call of Duty tournament to kick off the spring term.  The tournament will be every man or woman for themselves with the winner getting a copy of the game as a prize.  The number of rounds will be determined by the amount of participants.  A television, XBOX 360 console, seating, music, and refreshments will be provided.  There will be controllers there but you are encouraged to bring your own. Come have some fun and meet new people!

January 25: Pitt Vets Welcome Back Social
5 p.m., Mario’s East Side Saloon

The Student Veterans Association (Pitt Vets) are hosting a social at Mario’s East Side Saloon. Come join new and continuing veteran students in celebrating the start of a new term. 

January 27: Improving Veterans Experience on Campus Workshop
4-5:30 p.m., The McCarl Center for Nontraditional Student Success, fourth floor, Cathedral of Learning

Prepare to be successful this term by learning problem solving skills and how to remain flexible in order to achieve your goals. This workshop will include discussions with fellow veteran students about improving your experience on campus. All veteran and military-affiliated students are welcome to join. Refreshments will be served.

Become a Pat Tillman Military Scholar

Every year, Pat Tillman Foundation receives thousands of applications from Post-9/11 military veterans and their spouses nationwide. Sixty of the best-poised leaders, who show strength in character, academic excellence, and incredible potential, are chosen as Tillman Military Scholars. They are individuals who will apply the best lessons they've learned in life and the military to impact our country for years to come in medicine, business, law, education, and the arts. Scholarship applications will accepted February 7 through March 7, 2014.  For more information, contact scholarships@pattillmanfoundation.org.

Important Information from the Certifying Official

If you haven’t completed your spring 2014 certification, please do so. This will ensure that you receive your book stipend and housing payments in a timely manner.

New Federal Tuition Assistance Guidelines: A new Tuition Assistance (TA) policy will allow military-affiliated and veteran students to use TA after the successful completion of their first year of service and after graduating from either Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Officer Candidate School (OCS), or Basic Officer Leaders Course (BOLC).

Military-affiliated and veteran students are eligible for up to 16 semester hours of TA-funded courses per fiscal year.Service members may also use TA for a second, higher-level post-bachelor’s degree after completing 10 years of service. 

If you are planning on using TA for the spring 2014 term, please complete your TA requests as soon as possible. Learn more about TA. 

State Benefits: The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) has published a booklet on state benefits for veterans. Check out the booklet and learn more about the DMVA. 

Important Deadline: January 17 is the last day to add or drop individual courses, or drop all courses without being charged tuition. This can be done through  online self-enrollment. Learn more. 

Math Tutor: Free math tutoring is once again available during the spring term. Office hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 1-6 p.m. The office is located in the McCarl Center for Nontraditional Student Success, fourth floor, Cathedral of Learning. Contact Donna at djr56@pitt.edu 

Make money participating in a research study

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology is seeking students with mobility and/or visual impairments to participate in a research study. To participate, you must be a student with a mobility and/or visual impairment, be over 18 years old, be willing to use a smartphone application, complete questionnaires, and participate in focus groups. You will receive three payments for your participation. If interested, please contact Mary Goldberg at mrh35@pitt.edu or by phone at 412-822-3693.

REV-T Program: Research Experience for Veterans and Teachers

If you are a veteran interested in pursuing a career in engineering and/ or technology, consider applying to the Research Experience for Veterans and Teachers (REV-T) program this spring. The program is offered through the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and is funded by the National Science Foundation. REV-T participants take a course in product innovation, perform scientific research, and translate that research into innovative products for individuals with disabilities.

For details about the stipend and schedule, and to apply, please visit the program's Web site.

Battle Buddy App

Check out this new App available for the iPhone, iPad, and Android Smartphones.  It is a user- friendly app that gives you tools and information to assist in suicide intervention and other crisis situations. Check it out in iTunes or in the Google Playstore. 

VA Offers Dental Insurance Program

The VA is offering affordable dental insurance to eligible veterans and their families through a partnership with Delta Dental and MetLife. There are no eligibility limitations based on service-connected disability. You can check your eligibility and apply at either the Delta Dental Web site or the MetLife Web site.

VA Work Study Positions Available

The VA Regional Office, located in the Federal Building downtown, is hiring four to five work study positions. You must be enrolled at least three quarters time in classes to be eligible for VA work study positions. Contact Curtis Raybuck at Curtis.Raybuck2@va.gov, phone number 412-395-6249, or Elizabeth Lucas at Elizabeth.Lucas@va.gov, phone number 412-395-6068, to apply.