The Higher Education Veterans Program (HEVP) coordinators had a busy summer preparing for the new school year. Prospective and returning students were greeted by MDVA staff at campus registration sessions, career fairs, reintegration events, and the Minnesota State Fair. We used these events to connect Veterans, current military and family members with higher education and their benefits. As the semester started, staff have attended orientation meetings, move-in/family day and campus open house events. Coordinators are busy planning and executing Welcome Back and Veterans' Day events in their respective campus Veterans Centers. We continue to assist campus Veterans Clubs with event planning.

It is HEVP's goal to connect with every Veteran, current military and family member who is a student on campus. Each new student brings their own scenario and benefit options. Higher Education staff assist and educate students on all federal and state benefits. Armed with this knowledge, students can then feel reassured they are electing the best benefits based on their personal needs and educational goals. Students are eligible for one (or multiple) of the five different federal GI Bills in addition to Federal Tuition Assistance, State Tuition Reimbursement, Minnesota GI Bill and other state benefits depending on the individuals military status. Education benefits for Veterans, their dependents and those currently serving in the military continue to evolve. HEVP coordinators must keep up to date with all changes and inform all new and returning students of any education benefit changes.

One of the major and exciting changes this fall has been that GoArmyEd is integrating Common Access Card (CAC) to their website. This will make logging into the GoArmyEd website much easier for students as they won't have to remember a username and password they may use a few times a semester.

HEVP coordinators continue to provide professional service to Minnesota's student Veterans by supporting and advocating for our Veterans, Veterans families and current military members at each of our college campuses. To learn more visit /mdva/resources/education/index.jsphttp://mn.gov/mdva/resources/education/.