Resources
The White House
Department of Veterans Affairs
Toll Free (855) 948-2311
Information Toll-Free Telephone Numbers:
Def.Fin & Accounting Services (DFAS) - 800-321-1080 DOD
Life Insurance (SGLI) - 800-419-1473
Small Business Administration (SBA) - 800-827-5722
Social Security Administration - 800-772-1213
VA Life Insurance (VGLI) - 800-669-8477
VA Mammography Hotline - 888-492-7844
VA Project 112/Shad, Gulf War, Agent Orange - 800-749-8387 (PGW-VETS)
VA Appeals Management Center - 888-258-0341
VA Benefits - 800-827-1000
VA CHAMPVA - 800-733-8387
VA Dept Management - 800-827-0648
VA Direct Deposit Center - 877-838-2778
VA Education Benefits - 888-442-4551 (GIBILL-1)
VA Headstones and Markers - 800-697-6947
VA Health Benefits - 877-222-8387
VA Health Eligibility Center - 800-929-8387
VA Loan Guaranty (Houston, TX - 888-232-2571 then (Option 1)
VA Pension Center (St Paul, MN - 877-294-6380
Veterans Land Board Texas - 800-252-8387
Information Websites:
Arlington National Cemetery - www.arlingtoncemetery.mil
Board of Veterans Appeals - www.va.gov/vbs/bva
Burial and Memorial Benefits - www.cem.va.gov/
Certificate of Eligibility - www.nceligib@vba.va.gov
CHAMPVA - www.va.gov/hac
Compensation and Pension - www.vba.va.gov.bin/21/
Department of Labor - www.dol.gov/vets/welcome.html
Department of Defense - www.defenselink.mil/
DD Form 214 Online - www.vetrecs.archives.gov
Def. Fin. & Accounting Services (DFAS - www.dfas.mol
Education Benefits - www.gibill.va.gov
Federal Job Announcements - www.usajobs.omp.gov
Government forms - www.va.gov/forms/
Health Benefits and Services - www.va.gov/vbs/health/
Military Funeral Honors - www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil/
Small and Disadvantaged Business - www.va.gov/OSDBU/
Small Business Administration - www.sba.gov/VETS
Tricare - www.tricare.osd.mil
VA Benefits Application - www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp
VA Benefits outside the U.S - www.vba.va.gov/bin/21/foreign/
VA Consumers Affairs - www.va.gov/customer/conaff.asp
VA Forms - www.va.gov/forms/
VA Home Loan Guaranty - www.homeloans.va.gov/
VA Website - www.va.gov
Veterans Preference - www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetgcompenuide.asp
Addition Resources Legal assistance www.jagcnet3.army.mil/legal
Service organizations:
USO www.USO.ORG/
Army Emergency Relief www.aerhq.org
Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society www.nmcrs.org
Air Force Aid Society www.afas.org
Coast Guard Aid Society www.cgmahq.org
National Veterans Business Development Corporation www.veteranscorp.org
Red Cross www.redcross.org
Service Members Opportunity Colleges www.soc.aascu.org
Additional Resources
Medicare plans resource center:
https://www.medicareplans.com/va-military-and-medicare-benefits-resource
SNAP Benefits https://militarybenefits.info/snap-benefits/
VA Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans https://www.benefits.com/veterans-disability/housing-for-disabled-veterans
Current VA Loan Rates Available Locally https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/mortgage-rates/va.php
Top 60 Veteran & Military-Friendly Employers https://info.recruitics.com/blog/top-veteran-military-friendly-employers-for-2020
College Resources for Veterans and their families https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/higher-education-for-military-veterans/
Top 10 Work from Home Jobs for Military Spouses & Veterans with Disability https://www.transcriptioncertificationinstitute.org/blog/work-from-home-jobs-for-disabled-veterans
Five Ways to Cope with PTSD https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319824
Trusted Military and Veteran Service Organizations https://www.veteransadvantage.com/giving-back/trusted-military-organizations-and-nonprofits
Highly Rated Nonprofits Dedicated to Veterans and Military Service Members https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=531
Unique challenges presented to veterans who return to school https://www1.cuny.edu/mu/forum/2020/11/10/kcc-vetsday2020/
What to know if you're a Veteran going back to school
By: Adam Evans
Going back to school is a big deal for anyone. However, for a veteran, it can be a huge transition between military life and school life. It can also be a major undertaking financially. Fortunately, there are programs available for veterans, and with these tips provided by Veterans For America, you can make going back to school easier.
Consider Going to School for Nursing
During your military training, you learned about basic medical care. Since you have already started laying the foundation for a healthcare career, why not become a nurse?
You will have the ability to make a lucrative salary. As noted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary of a registered nurse (RN) was $75,330 per year as of 2020, which is the same as $36.22 per hour.
Fortunately, this profession is expected to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, so you should have no problem finding employment. In fact, the BLS projects 276,800 new jobs for RNs will be added during this time.
Consider Going to School for Criminal Justice
Serving in the armed forces gives you basic criminal justice training. You could continue and earn a degree to become one of the following:
• Correctional officer
• Police officer
• Private investigator
• Forensic specialist
• Private security
• Parole officer
• Substance abuse counselor
Your earning potential depends on the career you select, but any option you choose can provide you with a livable wage. For instance, a private investigator usually earns around $53,320 annually or $25.64 per hour. Plus, the job outlook for this career path is faster growth than average at a rate of 13%.
Think About Earning a Business Degree
Your armed services training and experience can help you begin a career in business. You could choose to attend school for marketing, finance, human capital management, economics, or research and statistics.
When you earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA), you can also open the door to lucrative positions, such as:
• Facilities manager
• General manager
• Operations director
• Business administrator
If you choose an online degree, you will benefit from greater flexibility that makes it easier to balance your school, work, and home life.
Look Into Financial Assistance for Veterans
Financial struggles may be an obstacle you need to overcome as a veteran going back to school. However, you can look into grants, loans, and scholarships specifically for veterans.
You may find low-interest loans or scholarships or grants you do not have to pay back unless you don't finish your degree.
Make Sure You Have a Strong Support System
Going back to school is a challenge for anyone, and you may face unique struggles as a veteran furthering your education. Therefore, before you start school, you should determine who is in your support system. Lean on them any time you're overwhelmed, whether it's related to adjusting to civilian life or balancing your home and school life.
Make the Experience of Returning to School Easier As a general rule, you want to make going back to school as a Veteran as easy as possible. That means you need to choose the right degree and make sure you have people to assist you along the way. For more tips, visit Veterans For America.
Information Toll-Free Telephone Numbers:
Def.Fin & Accounting Services (DFAS) - 800-321-1080
DOD Life Insurance (SGLI) - 800-419-1473
Small Business Administration (SBA) - 800-827-5722
Social Security Administration - 800-772-1213
VA Life Insurance (VGLI) - 800-669-8477
VA Mammography Hotline - 888-492-7844
VA Project 112/Shad, Gulf War, Agent Orange - 800-749-8387 (PGW-VETS)
VA Appeals Management Center - 888-258-0341
VA Benefits - 800-827-1000
VA CHAMPVA - 800-733-8387
VA Dept Management - 800-827-0648
VA Direct Deposit Center - 877-838-2778
VA Education Benefits - 888-442-4551 (GIBILL-1)
VA Headstones and Markers - 800-697-6947
VA Health Benefits - 877-222-8387
VA Health Eligibility Center - 800-929-8387
VA Loan Guaranty (Houston, TX - 888-232-2571 then (Option 1)
VA Pension Center (St Paul, MN - 877-294-6380
Veterans Land Board Texas - 800-252-8387
The Top 10 most popular Veteran resources from 2021:
1. Veteran discounts available year-round
A comprehensive list of Veteran and military discounts (last verified October 2021) that are good all year round and are updated based on additional awareness.
2. Veterans, Gold Star Families get free entrance to National Parks, Refuges, other public lands
Entrance fees for National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sites, as well as standard amenity recreation fees for the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers locations, are waived for current military service members and their dependents, Veterans and Gold Star Families.
3. Guitars for Vets offers lessons, guitar for Veterans
Guitars for Vets (G4V) presents an instruction program designed for Veterans working through physical injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder and other forms of emotional distress to help improve communication, coordination and interpersonal skills.
4. Free tax preparation, electronic filing services
A list of links to free tax preparation and electronic tax filing services for current and former members of the military.
5. RallyPoint provides networking, counseling, job, mentorship services
A social network by, for and about service members and Veterans, RallyPoint provides such services as peer counseling, job placement and mentorship.
6. Free Veteran training for Microsoft Software and Systems Academy
The Microsoft Software and Systems Academy offers free, formal training in some of technology’s most in-demand roles to the military and Veteran community.
7. Register your SNAP EBT card on Amazon for exclusive benefits, discounts
Amazon offers SNAP EBT acceptance, competitive prices, wide selection and free shipping options to improve the grocery shopping experience, including free access to Amazon Fresh and exclusive discounts on essential items.
8. Experience live events through Vet Tix
Vet Tix provides free tickets to Veterans and service members for a wide variety of events, including professional and collegiate sports, concerts, rodeos, festivals and more.
9. Together We Served launches new “Veteran Finder” app
Together We Served recently launched a free “Veteran Finder” app to find and connect with the network’s 2.1 million Veteran members.
10. Find your next job with help from an American Corporate Partners mentor
American Corporate Partners (ACP) works with post-9/11 Veterans to help them find meaningful employment after military service.
If you do not receive the #VetResources weekly newsletter, sign up today at www.VA.gov/VetResources. Past newsletters can be found here, and all #VetResources blog posts are online at https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/category/vets-experience/vetresources/.
Addition Resources
Legal assistance www.jagcnet3.army.mil/legal
Service organizations:
