• Veteran Services

  Education & Grants

  Posted by PO 1(NJ) Paul Kale NJNM-JC on August 24, 2021 at 9:51 pm

  Operation College Promise (OCP) Backgrounder

  Operation College Promise (OCP) is a national policy, research and education program based in Trenton, New Jersey. OCP supports the transition of military-affiliated students “To, Through and Beyond,” their postsecondary advancement. Founded in 2008 as a web-based resource (www.OperationCollegePromise.org), the project was launched under the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (NJASCU) to centralize comprehensive transition information. In 2009, OCP was one of 20 applicants awarded an ACE/Walmart Foundation “Success for Veterans” grant.

  Education

  The education of veterans, and those who serve them, is the linchpin of the OCP mission. In 2009, the program developed and published the nation’s first resource manual for veterans’ service providers in the Post-9/11 era. The OCP Field Guide provides a blueprint for local, state and national support services to aid veterans in transition.

  The signature Certificate for Veterans’ Service Providers (CVSP) program is the only nationally disseminated certificate program designed specifically for higher education professionals. To date, over 700 professionals from 40 states, representing more than 100,000 military-affiliated students, have been certified. The CVSP training has been offered at ten different locations including Stockton University (Pomona, NJ), Ramapo College of New Jersey (Lyndhurst, NJ), Texas State University (San Marcos, TX), the University of North Carolina (Charlotte, NC), Texas A&M (San Antonio, TX), Ashford University (San Diego, CA), CareerTech for Vets (Oklahoma City, OK), the Association of Independent State Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island (Providence, RI), Armstrong State University (Savannah), University of Maryland University College, Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ) and St. Philips College (San Antonio). The rigorous, 2 1⁄2 day curriculum includes seven

  modules taught by a cross-section of thought leaders in the field of military education, including: the American Council on Education (ACE); the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU); as well as representatives from the Chairman’s Office on Reintegration (CORe), Soldier for Life, the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA) and many others. Each presentation is tailored to meet the specific needs of the hosting agency and includes a tour with an “insiders look” at a local military installation.

  OCP’s direct outreach to veterans supports the dissemination of information to our veterans and service members. OCP staff has regularly participated in the New Jersey National Guard’s “Yellow Ribbon” Post and Pre-deployment programming. Additionally, OCP provides updated information on existing and emerging resources through the OCP website, quarterly “Mail Call” e-newsletter, and social networking sites.

  Research

  Beginning in 2011, OCP developed a methodology – the Graduation Probability Indices (GPI) – to survey institutions on the progress of military-affiliated students toward degree. This landmark research “Completing the Mission: A Pilot Study of Veteran Students’ Progress toward Degree Attainment in the Post-9/11 Era” was followed up in 2013 by an expanded study: “Completing the Mission II: A Study of Veteran Students’ Progress toward Degree Attainment in the Post-9/11 Era” which increased the size of the study to 23 four-year institutions. Both research projects can be accessed at http://www.OperationCollegePromise.org.

  Policy

  OCP staff has frequently testified before the New Jersey Legislature on policies affecting veterans and their transition.For its efforts, OCP was awarded a Senate Resolution recognizing the program as a national model. The project collaborated with

  the New Jersey State Senate to establish the first “Veterans’ Education Awareness Week,” which is recognized through a gubernatorial proclamation each year. This initiative was made annual as an ongoing effort to educate veterans on their education benefits as well as celebrate their service. OCP is also researching condensed degree programs that maximize the benefits of the Post-9/11 GI bill, while recognizing the skill sets of our military students in fields with potential for long- term employment.The first of these,“VETeach,”a streamlined teaching degree plan, was signed into New Jersey Statute on April 5, 2012.

  In The Press

  OCP’s work has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Chronicle on Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, Military Advanced Education, NBC, Fox News, NPR and CNN, among many other media outlets. The project was also featured in a chapter in “What’s Next for Student Veterans – Moving from Transition to Academic Success,” a book published by the National Resource Directory

  For more information on Operation College Promise (OCP), visit: http://www.OperationCollegePromise.org
  or call 1-561-302-5282.

  GI BILL/State Approving Agency

  The State Approving Agency is responsible for the inspection, approval, and supervision of programs of education and training under the GI Bill. Approved sites include colleges and universities, non-college degree schools, apprenticeship/on the job training sites, flight schools, correspondence schools, and license and certification tests. The agency maintains a database of approved sites and contact personnel at New Jersey Locations. For Programs or specific information on the approval of a specific program, contact the Veterans Assistance Office at the College you are interested in attending, or call

  the State Approving Agency at 1-609-530-6975. The State Approving Agency can also provide additional information.

  POW and MIA Tuition Benefits

  Free undergraduate college tuition is available to any child born or adopted before, during or after the period of time his or her parent was officially declared a prisoner of war (POW) or person missing in action (MIA) after January 1, 1960. The POW-MIA must have been a New Jersey resident at the time he or she entered the service or whose official residence is in New Jersey. The child must attend either a public or private institution in New Jersey. A copy of DD-1300 must be furnished with the application.

  MG James Ursano Scholarship Fund

  Scholarships are awarded annually for up to four academic years to unmarried dependent children of Army Soldiers

  (active, retired or deceased) to attend post-secondary school full time for the entire academic year as undergraduate level students. All students must complete an application, provide an official transcript and SAR each year. https://www.aerhq.org/ Apply-for-Scholarship/Dependent-Children

  The Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative (MSCAI)

  The MSCAI helps Military Spouses with the assistance in helping overcome educational and credentialing. Military Spouses may apply at One-Stop Career Centers on or near Voluntary Education Centers at participating installations. To see more, visit http://www.MilSpouse.org

  Operation Recognition: High School Diplomas For Veterans

  The New Jersey and Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Education jointly launched a program to honor WWII era Veterans who left school to join the military and never received a high school diploma. The program will award a state endorsed high school diploma to any New Jersey Veteran who left a New Jersey high school to enter a military service during WWII and Korean & Vietnam conflicts. All branches of service including Merchant Marine and Coast Guard are eligible.

  Veterans who have since earned a GED are still eligible. Diplomas may also be issued posthumously. Surviving family members of eligible Veterans are encouraged to apply.

  Required information:

  1. A copy of your DD 214 or discharge papers
  2. The name and address of the High School you attended 3. The year you would have graduated
  4. Your name, address and daytime phone number

  Send request to:

  Operation Recognition (DVS-VBB)
  NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs PO Box 340
  Trenton, NJ 08625-0340

  War Orphans Tuition Assistance

  Children of those service personnel who died while in the military or due to service connected disabilities, or who are officially listed as missing in action by the U.S. Dept. of Defense may claim $500 per year for four years of college or equivalent training. To qualify, the child must be a resident of New Jersey for at least one year immediately preceding the filing of the application and between the ages of 16 and 21 at the time of application. The Veteran must have been a state resident upon enlistment.

  Vietnam Veterans Tuition Credit Program

  The Veterans Tuition Credit Program provides additional education benefits to Veterans eligible for federally funded education programs and who served on active duty from December 31, 1960 to May 7, 1975 and who were legal residents of New Jersey at the time of induction into the Armed Forces or at the time of discharge from active service or for a period not less than one year prior to making application. The amount of the award is $400 annually or $200 per semester for full time attendance and $100 per semester for part-time. For further information contact your school official in charge of Veteran’s Affairs or by calling New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at 1-609-530-6949. Deadlines for applying are October 1 and March 1 of each year.

  • This discussion was modified 5 years ago by  PO 1(NJ) Paul Kale NJNM-JC.

  PO 1(NJ) Paul Kale NJNM-JC replied 5 years ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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