17-MIL-111 (6/17) University of Maryland University College is a state university with a rich history of educating military veterans. In addition to our online learning formats, we have more than 20 locations in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, and we offer hybrid class options. We’re here to help you transition back to college; select the right degree for your career goals; pursue all available veterans education benefits, financial aid, scholarships, and other payment options; and fast-track your degree with transfer credits for your military experience. Our dedicated veterans advising teams, experienced military leadership, and veteran-trusted faculty are here to support you. Welcome to UMUC: A Veteran-Trusted State University
Transcript
17-MIL-111 (6/17)
University of Maryland University College is a state university with a rich
history of educating military veterans. In addition to our online learning
formats, we have more than 20 locations in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia,
and we offer hybrid class options.
We’re here to help you transition back to college; select the right degree
for your career goals; pursue all available veterans education benefits,
financial aid, scholarships, and other payment options; and fast-track
your degree with transfer credits for your military experience.
Our dedicated veterans advising teams, experienced military leadership,
and veteran-trusted faculty are here to support you.
Welcome to UMUC: A Veteran-Trusted State University
Table of ContentsImportant Information About Your Veterans Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Veterans Benefits ProgramsApplication ProceduresAmounts and Methods of PaymentSubmitting Your Certificate of EligibilityStudent Responsibilities While Receiving Benefits
How to Submit Your Official Transcripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
How to Complete Your Request for Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10For Students Using Chapter 33 BenefitsFor Students Using Chapter 30, Chapter 35, Chapter 1606,
The following education benefit programs are currently administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):
• Montgomery GI Bill®–Active Duty Educational Assistance Program (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30)
• Montgomery GI Bill®–Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31)
• Veterans Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32)
• Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
° Yellow Ribbon Program
° Transfer of Post-9/11 GI Bill®
° Benefits to Dependents
° Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
• The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)
• Montgomery GI Bill®–Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1606)
• Montgomery GI Bill®–Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607)
You can find detailed benefit program information at umuc.edu/vabenefits and benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Application Procedures
You can review the online information and application procedures at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Every educational assistance program requires different paperwork and documentation to process a claim. Initial applications for benefits may be submitted online directly to the VA. All students must complete a UMUC Request for Certification form each semester they wish to receive benefits. The VA processes claims and issues payment no more than 14 days prior to the start date of your course. If you’re filing for the first time, it may take six to eight weeks from the date the VA receives your Request for Certification.
Amounts and Methods of Payment
The amount of money you may receive from the VA depends on the education benefit program for which you are eligible, the number of credits for which you are registered, the length of the session (referred to as training time or rate of pursuit), and (for certain programs) the number of dependents. The current monthly payment for each educational assistance program is available online at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
With the exception of tuition payments for students eligible under Post-9/11 and Vocational Rehabilitation benefits, you are paid your benefit amounts directly. The money may be used to help with tuition, books, or other costs of a college education. If you are not eligible for Post-9/11 or Vocational Rehabilitation benefits, you must make payment arrangements at the time of registration.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Important Information About Your Veterans Benefits
At UMUC, all VA regulations are enforced. Please be aware of the following requirements and consequences:
• You are expected to make satisfactory progress and comply with the academic standards of UMUC. Payment of benefits will not be allowed for any course in which a grade of FN is assigned.
• You must report all changes in enrollment—including drops, adds, withdrawals, changes to audit, and changes in degree objective.
• Registering for a course and not attending or ceasing to attend without officially withdrawing is a misuse of federal funds and will result in an overpayment of benefits.
• Payment of benefits will not be allowed for any course in which a nonpunitive grade (i.e., a grade of I, W, or AU) is assigned.
• Payment of benefits will not be allowed for repeating a course for which transfer credit has been granted or for which a passing grade of A, B, C, D, P, or S was assigned, unless a grade of C or better is required in the degree program.
• Payment of benefits will not be allowed for any course that is not a requirement in a student’s degree or certificate program.
Important Information About Your Veterans Benefits
It is important that we complete an Academic Achievement Record (AAR) for your education file to best guide you in your degree plan. However, for us to complete your report, you must have submitted official transcripts from all colleges and universities that you previously attended, including your military service school transcripts. In addition, veteran students must have an AAR completed by the end of their second semester at UMUC to continue to receive veterans benefits.
Complete the following steps to both locate required transcripts and to monitor the status of your transcripts:
1. Log in to your MyUMUC portal at https://my.umuc.edu.
2. Click on “Student Center.”
3. Click on the drop-down menu labeled “Other Academic…” in the “Academic” section.
4. Select “Previous Education” from the dropdown menu.
5. Click on the “Go” button, depicted by two arrows in a circle.
If you have taken any CLEP, DSST, or other credit by exams, please visit umuc.edu/test-score-reports for information on submitting test scores.
A useful tool to use before the evaluation is completed is a Tentative Evaluation (TE). You can e-mail or fax UMUC copies of your unofficial transcripts so a TE can be completed. This TE will allow UMUC to safely recommend courses for both your first and second terms while your AAR is being completed.
Please have your official transcripts mailed to the following address:
University of Maryland University College Attn: Transcripts 3501 University Boulevard East Adelphi, MD 20783
UMUC uses several electronic transcript services. Whenever possible, UMUC prefers to receive transcripts electronically. Confirm with your prior institution(s) to determine which transcript services they use. If a send-to e-mail address is required, please use [email protected]. If you have fewer than 24 completed college credits, you will also need to submit a copy of your high school transcripts or General Educational Development scores.
UMUC requires placement exams for students who do not transfer in the equivalent of a credited mathematics (MATH 106 or higher) course.* If a placement test is necessary, you will need to take the test before registering for a credited math course. To take the placement test, you will need to do the following:
1. Find an individual who is willing to serve as your proctor. If available, a UMUC field representative is always a great place to start. Local commu-nity colleges and universities with testing services are also great choices. Your proctor will need to be approved by our testing center before you are able to take the placement tests. View our list of approved alternate testing locations at umuc.edu/alternative-testing-sites.
2. Once you find an individual who is willing to serve as your proctor, obtain the following information:
a Proctor’s name
b. Proctor’s job title
c. Proctor’s e-mail address (must be an institutional e-mail address)
d. Proctor’s phone number
e. Facility name
f. Facility address
g. Facility phone number
3. Register to take your placement tests. To register, log in to your MyUMUC portal at https://my.umuc.edu and complete the following steps:
a. Click on “Undergrad Placement Exam Registration” under “Academic Information.”
b. Follow the prompts.
You will need to register five to seven business days before taking your placement test. During this time, our testing center will approve or deny your proctor and/or location. If approved, your proctor will be sent the information necessary to administer the placement test to you. You will both receive a “take-by date” to inform you of your deadline to take the placement test. Then you can establish a time frame with your proctor to take the placement test.
Once you take your placement test, your scores will be uploaded, and you will be eligible to register for a class that corresponds to the level at which you placed for math.
* Online remedial courses (MATH 009 and MATH 012) are not eligible for educational benefits, except for students enrolled in the Chapter 31 program.
UMUC’s VetSuccess on Campus counselors are available to help veterans, servicemembers, and their dependents receive support and assistance to successfully achieve their education and career goals.
Our experienced full-time counselors come from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. They provide academic, career, and civilian life adjustment counseling and can help you understand your education, health, and other veterans benefits.
On-site counseling is available at the UMUC Academic Center at Largo, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and at several UMUC locations by appointment. Please call ahead to confirm availability.
The VetSuccess on Campus program is part of the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess Program authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services
Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) provides education benefits to veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 20 percent and veterans who are in need of vocational rehabilitation.
Eligible veterans may receive up to 48 months of full-time benefits. Veterans generally have 12 years to use benefits from the date they are notified of their entitlement to the program.
You may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits if you are rated 10 percent disabled with a serious employment handicap.
Before you enroll in courses, your VA case manager must fax VA form 28-1905 to UMUC’s Veterans Certification Office at 240-684-2007 or e-mail the form to [email protected].
After you enroll, your case manager will send a separate 28-195 form to MBS Direct, UMUC’s official bookstore. Once certified, you will receive a book order form to complete and fax or e-mail to MBS Direct.
Additional information about UMUC course materials can be found at umuc.edu/oer.
VetSuccess and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services
Post-9/11 education benefits provide a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) if your Rate of Pursuit is greater than 50 percent. Rate of Pursuit is determined based on the number of credits a student registers for and the length of enrollment.
Undergraduate Rate of Pursuit (for 8-week sessions)
3 credits = 60 percent Rate of Pursuit
4 credits = 80 percent Rate of Pursuit
5 credits = 90 percent Rate of Pursuit
6 credits = 100 percent Rate of Pursuit
The delivery format of your coursework (online or hybrid) and your percent of eligibility for Post-9/11 are two additional factors that determine the amount of your MHA.
To be eligible for hybrid enrollment, we suggest you register for 6 credits (with at least one hybrid class) in Hybrid Session 1/Online Session 1 and 6 credits (with at least one hybrid) in Hybrid Session 2/Online Session 4. It is recommended that students do not take more than 7 credits in a session, as they are accelerated. Benefits are not paid for breaks between sessions.
For more information about how to calculate your MHA eligibility, visit benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Please see below for step-by-step instructions on how to enroll and certify courses using your veterans benefits.
To register for courses, use the following steps:
• Log in to your MyUMUC portal at https://my.umuc.edu.
• Click on “Student Center.”
• Click on “Enroll.”
• Choose a term by clicking the button at the beginning of the row.
• Click on “Continue.”
• Type in the 5-digit course number for each course, or use the search button to search for courses.
• Verify the course information (contact advising before changing grading method from graded option).
• Click on “Next.” Repeat the previous three steps as needed to add all desired courses.
• Click on “Proceed to Step 2 of 3.”
• Double-check your pending enrollments listed.
• Click on “Finish Enrolling.”
You should receive a green checkmark with a “Success: enrolled” status for each class. If you see a red “X” on your screen, take note of what is listed in the “Message” box to find out the nature of the issue. If you
receive an error message when enrolling, please contact an advisor for assistance. You can double-check your registration by looking at your registration history, your class schedule, or even your AAR. If you have problems, always feel free to contact an advisor at 800-939-UMUC.
You will also receive an automatically generated e-mail confirming your course registration.
After you register for your courses, complete the Request for Certification form available in your student portal by taking the following steps:
• Log in to your MyUMUC portal at https://my.umuc.edu.
• Click on “Student Center.”
• Under “MyMilitary,” select “Request for Certification” from the dropdown menu.
• Click on the “Go” button, depicted by two arrows in a circle.
• Select “Complete all information.”
• Click on the courses you want submitted to the VA.
• Click on “Save and Submit.”
For Students Using Chapter 33 Benefits
To apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program, you must be 100 percent eligible for Chapter 33 benefits and must be considered a non-Maryland resident. Students can apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program on the Request for Certification form by clicking on the Yellow Ribbon Program box that appears after you click on the Chapter 33 (Post-9/11) box.
Several weeks into the semester, you may receive balance due notices if your tuition payment has not been received from the VA. These notices are automatically generated for all accounts that have balances. If there is a balance after the VA payment is received, it is your responsibility to settle your account.
For Students Using Chapter 30, Chapter 35, Chapter 1606, or Chapter 1607 Benefits
You must arrange payment for your tuition and fees by the due date. Since the VA pays students directly, students using Chapter 30, Chapter 35, Chapter 1606, or Chapter 1607 benefits are responsible for all charges. View current payment rates for all benefit programs at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
UMUC’s monthly interest-free payment plan allows you to pay your cost of attendance over several months. The number of payments available each term is dependent upon the date that you register for classes. The plan is administered in-house by UMUC. There are no finance charges, just a low, nonrefundable enrollment fee of $35. You can also contact UMUC’s Financial Aid Office at 800-888-8682. Select option 2 for information on financial aid. You can also visit umuc.edu/financialaid for more information.
In addition, students using Chapter 30, Chapter 1606, or Chapter 1607 must verify their attendance each month through the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment at gibill.va.gov/wave.
Once you complete the Request for Certification form, please allow 10 to 15 business days for your certification to be processed. You will be able to view the status of your certification by visiting your MyUMUC portal and selecting “View My Certification Status” from the “MyMilitary” dropdown menu.
At UMUC, you can complete most undergraduate and graduate degrees without purchasing textbooks, thanks to open educational resources that are available at no cost and are immediately available through your online classroom.
Depending on the course, these open educational resources may include electronic textbooks, lectures, websites, and selected documents and media. Program chairs and faculty members have customized these materials to be more relevant to your course and to include the latest industry information.
Some courses do require the use of specific software or content that cannot be accessed at no cost. When you register for a course, check the required course materials listed in the Interactive Schedule of Classes at umuc.edu/soc to determine whether you will need to purchase any course materials.
Finding Required Course Materials
To find out which materials you will need for each course, you can do one of the following:
• Select one of the class schedule links, locate your class on the list, and then select the “Textbooks” link for your class.
• Log in to your MyUMUC portal at https://my.umuc.edu and select the “Order Class Materials” link via the “MyAcademics” tab. Under “Order Class Materials in MyUMUC,” a screen with your courses will appear along with instructions on how to order your materials.
Purchasing Course Materials in Person
University Book Center/Barnes & Noble offers purchase of most required course materials and software online; via mail, phone, and fax; or in person in College Park, Maryland, for UMUC classes held on the College Park campus.*
University Book Center/Barnes & Noble University of Maryland, College Park Stamp Student Union College Park, MD 20742
Students should call for additional information and store hours. Phone: 800-343-6621; 301-314-2665 Fax: 301-314-7858
Walk-in students should inquire at the customer service desk to obtain textbooks for courses. Most major credit cards and some employer-provided assistance documents are accepted.
* Students requiring course materials for online courses are encouraged to order online through MBS Direct.
The Effective Writing Center (EWC) offers an array of writing-related services to the UMUC community. All UMUC students can find resources to help improve their writing.
The EWC offers students
• Written and audio feedback on writing assignments
• Answers to writing-related questions
• Self-study activities on research and writing
• A tutorial on recognizing and avoiding plagiarism
• Resources on topics from argument development to English as a Second Language
• An Online Guide to Writing and Research with related links and self-assessments
Contact the EWC using one of the methods below:
Mailing address: University of Maryland University College Attn: Effective Writing Center 3501 University Boulevard East Adelphi, Maryland 20783
Submit your paper for review online at umuc.edu/ewc.
Center for Student Success
Feeling connected to a university community is an important part of your academic experience. At UMUC, we offer a variety of opportunities for you to meet and interact with other students and alumni.
Activities for students include
• Academic clubs (umuc.edu/clubs)
• Honor societies (umuc.edu/honorsocieties)
• National Society of Leadership and Success (umuc.edu/nsls)
• Student Advisory Council (umuc.edu/student-advisory-council)
. . . and more!
Contact the Center for Student Success to find out how we can help you get the most out of your UMUC experience.
Mailing address: Center for Student Success 3501 University Boulevard East Adelphi, Maryland 20783 E-mail: [email protected]. Phone: 800-888-UMUC, ext. 2899
Effective Writing Center and Center for Student Success
At UMUC, we are committed to providing education that is accessible to every student. Accessibility Services (AS) at UMUC is dedicated to reducing barriers to education for students with disabilities.
We’re Here to Help
Visit umuc.edu/accessibility to find out how to get started at UMUC, search eligibility requirements, register for accommodations, download forms, explore self-advocacy resources, and gain answers to frequently asked questions.
Your Privacy Is Protected
Students can choose whether to disclose health conditions to faculty members or classmates. AS staff will not disclose health issues or specific diagnoses.
Admission
All students, including students with disabilities and veterans, must meet minimum entrance criteria for any academic program at UMUC. There will be nothing in the application for admission asking you to disclose your disability. Your eligibility for services/accommodations from AS is a separate process and is independent from the Office of Admissions.
Self-Identification
You are responsible for self-identifying with AS to inform the university about your disability and request academic accommodations. You will only be asked to provide documentation if you request services.
It is in your best interest to contact AS early. You will need to submit the Student Intake Form (available at umuc.edu/student-intake-form) and documentation. After that, AS will send an e-mail notification acknowledging receipt of your materials.
Contact AS as early as possible, particularly if you have questions about what documentation is required for eligibility purposes.
UMUC’s Office of Career Services assists students and alumni through various aspects of career development. Through our complimentary resources, you can learn about crafting a professional civilian or Federal resume, preparing for an interview, leveraging your professional network, and identifying career or internship opportunities when you are ready to transition out of the military. Whether you are transitioning into a new career or are an experienced professional looking for a career that was similar to what you did in the military, UMUC’s Career Services team is here to help. Visit umuc.edu/careerservices to learn more.
Here are a few ways to get started:
1. Connect to Career Services Via CareerQuest.
CareerQuest, UMUC’s free career portal exclusively available to all students and alumni, can connect you with UMUC’s career tools, resources, and more. To get started, create an account to access
• UMUC’s exclusive job board listing opportunities with hundreds of local and national employers
• The event calendar for monthly recruiting sessions and webinars
• Exclusive career resources and tools
• UMUC Career Advisors to provide career guidance and expertise specific to you
• The UMUC Career Mentor Program to connect you with UMUC alumni and industry professionals who can provide valuable tips and career guidance to help elevate your career
Access CareerQuest at careerquest.umuc.edu.
2. Get Experience.
If you plan to switch careers after leaving the military or would like to gain experience in a nonmilitary environment, InternPLUS is here to help. InternPLUS provides creative, flexible options for UMUC students to acquire the experience they need to be more competitive in the job market. To learn about internship, volunteer, and other experiential- based career opportunities, e-mail [email protected].
3. Stay Involved.
Visit umuc.edu/careerservices to register for the latest online and on- site information sessions, job fairs, and other networking and career- related events. You can also read about a wide variety of career- related topics on the UMUC Career Services Connection blog at careerconnection.umuc.edu.
Contact Career Services
Career Services assists military students in finding rewarding careers. The resources offered by the Career Services team are designed to provide current and relevant information to assist you in making well -informed career decisions that compliment your military career and higher education experiences. Thank you for your service!
Please let us assist as you work towards achieving your professional goals.
UMUC Office of Career Services Phone: 240-684-2720 E-mail: [email protected] Webpage: umuc.edu/careerservices CareerQuest: careerquest.umuc.edu
Our Veterans Resource Center offers separating servicemembers, veterans, and families resources to help make informed decisions while transitioning to civilian life. Whether you are talking about jobs, veterans benefits, or other support, UMUC’s Veterans Resource Center is your one-stop source of information.
The UMUC Veterans Lounge is the headquarters for the Veterans Resource Center, located in the Academic Center at Largo. The UMUC Veterans Lounge has been established to serve the needs of UMUC’s veteran population by providing an environment where they can find camaraderie among their peers and receive mutual support as they pursue their academic objectives.
The lounge offers computers and Internet access along with a variety of resources to assist veterans, servicemembers, and their families during their post-military transition as well as information and support for informed decision making.
UMUC provides other helpful student services, including
• Comprehensive library services
• 24-hour tech support
• Online writing assistance
• Accessibility services
• Mentoring
• Career planning resources
. . . and more!
Find out more about the Veterans Resource Center at umuc.edu/vrc.
One2One Mentorship Program
UMUC’s One2One Mentorship Program provides individualized, peer-to-peer support to veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Mentors can provide guidance on navigating veterans benefits and encouragement and general support to help the military and veteran community successfully transition from the military to UMUC’s academic experience and civilian life. To apply as a mentee in the One2One Mentorship Program, please visit umuc.edu/one2one.
Veterans Success Club
This student-run club provides an in-person and online community for fellow veterans and their families. An approved chapter of the Student Veterans of America, UMUC’s Veterans Success Club is dedicated to ensuring that veterans, active-duty servicemembers, reservists, and their family members have a voice on campus and are successful in fulfilling academic, employ-ment, and support needs. Please e-mail [email protected] to learn more.
MIL-VET Checkpoint
UMUC is introducing a digital communication and networking tool exclusively for UMUC’s military and veteran community. It will provide a central place for you to get the support you need to make a successful transition to civilian life. You can access timely, relevant information about academic success and career opportunities, connect with fellow UMUC students who’ve served in the military, work with our military and veterans advisors, and more.
To enroll in MIL-VET Checkpoint, please send your name and contact information to [email protected]. The VRC will confirm your status as a current student and automatically enroll you into MIL-VET Checkpoint.
