There are a lot of military-related blogs, and if you are interested in keeping up with a ‘snapshot of the top milblogs’ this site lists daily snippets from the best at: http://milblogging.com/ Postings include interesting stories in local papers, international military-related items, postings from veterans and deployed service members and their families, and ‘other cool stuff.’
News from Military.com: According to an article by the American Council on Education, the Department of Veterans Affairs may soon change their debt collecting practices in a way that could cause harm to veterans. Currently, the VA only collects debts from veterans for housing and other payments that go directly to the veteran (like book stipends, and monthly Montgomery GI Bill benefits). Any Post-9/11 GI Bill debts for tuition and fees, which are normally paid directly by the schools, are currently being offset.
Read more at: http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2012/04/shift-in-va-recoupment-policy-may-hurt-vets/#ixzz1tBOXBSoy
Interest Rate Change for New Direct Subsidized Student Loans: click here to learn more about how this impacts you as a student loan borrower along with other new requirements for the federal student aid programs resulting from recent legislative changes.
Free study tips are available at Study Guides and Strategies, an educational public service. Here’s one on time management: http://www.studygs.net/schedule/ and they have other topics, including procrastination and goal setting too.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Summer VUB, Phish Warning, and Brain Boosting
Super Charge Your Summer: Veterans Upward Bound of Northern Arizona is registering veterans now for summer classes, which run from June 4 through July 27. Summer VUB classes include in-person and online modules in math, preparing for college level writing, English as an International Language, and computer skills. If you are interested in enrolling, please contact the VUB office at 928-717-7686.
Military.com issues warning - Beware of Financial Services Scams: A scam to solicit money from service members and DoD civilians has been identified. The letter purporting to be from DFAS asks the fiancee of a service member to register in "our system," entitling the fiancee to benefits in the event of the service member's death. The letter even uses the DFAS logo. DFAS does not send unsolicited email messages with attachments or letters asking you to send money to pay for some benefit. This letter is a typical phishing scam used to obtain personal information and often times, money. For more personal finance tips, visit the Military.com Money Center.
Tips on Brain Health from Dr. Daniel Amen at http://70.32.73.82/blog/5742/brain-fog-is-not-normal/ Dr. Amen has a free weekly newsletter on brain health; this week’s issue includes the following tips to keep your brain youthful and fully-functioning (not foggy!) Highlights include:
• Eat nutrition-packed high-quality calories to maintain optimal weight. Be sure to include Omega 3, 6, 9 Fatty Acids (from salmon, eggs, avocados, walnuts), lean protein (beans, whole grains & vegetables), and high-antioxidant (bright-colored) fruits and vegetables. A high-protein breakfast is especially important for mental clarity in the morning, while carbohydrates induce relaxation.
• Drink plenty of pure water
• Limit sugar and chemical sugar substitutes, use natural alternatives and avoid blood sugar spikes
• Depression and mood swings have been helped with fish oil, EPA and DHA specifically
• Aerobic exercises and resistance training improve brain blood/oxygen circulation. Alternating high intensity 60-second bursts with several minutes of moderate walking is most helpful, or try dancing, ping-pong, or swimming. More is not better, avoid excessive training/sports.
• Ask for a blood test to screen for vitamin D3, supplement if you are deficient.
Military.com issues warning - Beware of Financial Services Scams: A scam to solicit money from service members and DoD civilians has been identified. The letter purporting to be from DFAS asks the fiancee of a service member to register in "our system," entitling the fiancee to benefits in the event of the service member's death. The letter even uses the DFAS logo. DFAS does not send unsolicited email messages with attachments or letters asking you to send money to pay for some benefit. This letter is a typical phishing scam used to obtain personal information and often times, money. For more personal finance tips, visit the Military.com Money Center.
Tips on Brain Health from Dr. Daniel Amen at http://70.32.73.82/blog/5742/brain-fog-is-not-normal/ Dr. Amen has a free weekly newsletter on brain health; this week’s issue includes the following tips to keep your brain youthful and fully-functioning (not foggy!) Highlights include:
• Eat nutrition-packed high-quality calories to maintain optimal weight. Be sure to include Omega 3, 6, 9 Fatty Acids (from salmon, eggs, avocados, walnuts), lean protein (beans, whole grains & vegetables), and high-antioxidant (bright-colored) fruits and vegetables. A high-protein breakfast is especially important for mental clarity in the morning, while carbohydrates induce relaxation.
• Drink plenty of pure water
• Limit sugar and chemical sugar substitutes, use natural alternatives and avoid blood sugar spikes
• Depression and mood swings have been helped with fish oil, EPA and DHA specifically
• Aerobic exercises and resistance training improve brain blood/oxygen circulation. Alternating high intensity 60-second bursts with several minutes of moderate walking is most helpful, or try dancing, ping-pong, or swimming. More is not better, avoid excessive training/sports.
• Ask for a blood test to screen for vitamin D3, supplement if you are deficient.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Understanding
Today’s post deals with understanding: Understanding PTSD and how it affects some veterans, Understanding the GI Bill and BAH (help with), Understanding resources available, and Understanding math (how to!)
Here’s a look into the life of one hero, struggling to make sense of his past, survive his present, and look toward a healthier future: http://www.pulitzer.org/works/2012-Feature-Photography#
If you need help figuring out the GI Bill nuances, here is one resource: http://newgibill.org/calculator/ If you need help figuring out Basic Housing Allowance, here’s a calculator for that: http://www.militaryforsaleforrent.com/basic_allowance_for_housing.shtml
There are lots of resources for veterans today, just be careful with what information you share, as always, on the internet! In surfing for resources, here is one that has some good tips: the Arizona Department of Veterans Services website: http://www.azdvs.gov/ Check out their employment and resume help at: http://www.azdvs.gov/VetBiz/Employment.aspx
Great free web-based videos on building your math muscles: http://mathfortress.com/
Here’s a look into the life of one hero, struggling to make sense of his past, survive his present, and look toward a healthier future: http://www.pulitzer.org/works/2012-Feature-Photography#
If you need help figuring out the GI Bill nuances, here is one resource: http://newgibill.org/calculator/ If you need help figuring out Basic Housing Allowance, here’s a calculator for that: http://www.militaryforsaleforrent.com/basic_allowance_for_housing.shtml
There are lots of resources for veterans today, just be careful with what information you share, as always, on the internet! In surfing for resources, here is one that has some good tips: the Arizona Department of Veterans Services website: http://www.azdvs.gov/ Check out their employment and resume help at: http://www.azdvs.gov/VetBiz/Employment.aspx
Great free web-based videos on building your math muscles: http://mathfortress.com/
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Career & College Focus
What emerging careers could veterans take advantage of in the current economy? That question was pondered by Dean Russ Roberts recently, and he suggested that students consider a career in video gaming technology if they are interested in getting in a fast-growth field. “Gaming technology is more than just video games these days, Fortune 500 corporations are investigating the use of game theory to provide on-demand training solutions and all levels of education are exploring use of these tools for interactive teaching,” according to Roberts. Yavapai College’s contact for video gaming courses is Laura.Moore@yc.edu; or you can search the course offerings for Video Game Development (VGD) to learn about individual class objectives at www.yc.edu and click on Search for Classes.
Military-preference employer highlight of the week: http://www.careersatsafeway.com/military/ Safeway would be honored to have you launch your civilian career in many available positions. From our stores to our corporate headquarters, and with positions ranging from Store Management to IT to Manufacturing to Distribution, we offer location transfer availability and careers that build your skills and your future. We aspire to be the best in all that we do and we need you to achieve that goal. If you are looking to join another world class team, we invite you to Safeway.
Here at Yavapai College, our summer and fall registration for new students will begin April 23 (current students can register April 16) – if you are considering taking classes, and using either your GI Bill or Pell grant funding, apply now. The VUB office can help you navigate college, whether you plan to attend here or elsewhere. To get the best preparation for your next steps, just call 928-717-7686.
Connecting combat veterans to the soil is becoming a more popular way to transition back to civilian life and overcome different kinds of barriers. This veteran-run farm is wheelchair-accessible too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSvTCTTFEp0
Military-preference employer highlight of the week: http://www.careersatsafeway.com/military/ Safeway would be honored to have you launch your civilian career in many available positions. From our stores to our corporate headquarters, and with positions ranging from Store Management to IT to Manufacturing to Distribution, we offer location transfer availability and careers that build your skills and your future. We aspire to be the best in all that we do and we need you to achieve that goal. If you are looking to join another world class team, we invite you to Safeway.
Here at Yavapai College, our summer and fall registration for new students will begin April 23 (current students can register April 16) – if you are considering taking classes, and using either your GI Bill or Pell grant funding, apply now. The VUB office can help you navigate college, whether you plan to attend here or elsewhere. To get the best preparation for your next steps, just call 928-717-7686.
Connecting combat veterans to the soil is becoming a more popular way to transition back to civilian life and overcome different kinds of barriers. This veteran-run farm is wheelchair-accessible too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSvTCTTFEp0
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Transition to College, Veteran Hiring Preference, Pell Changes
Here is an inspirational and informative article about going back to school by one veteran, from The Chronicle of Higher Education: http://chronicle.com/article/An-Ex-Soldier-Finds-a-New/131394/?sid=cc&utm_source=cc&utm_medium=en
Here is a well-done documentary called In Their Own Words, about student veterans and their transition to college. Enjoy at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXIeI20tpSA
Congress passed, and the President has signed into law, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) for unemployed Veterans between 35-60 years old who no longer have access to VA educational benefits. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DoL) are working together to roll out this new program on July 1, 2012. Check out the details at: http://gibill.va.gov/benefits/other_programs/vrap.html
Changes in the federal regulations for Pell grants may affect you – if you are a current student, please check your school’s financial aid webpage for the new Satisfactory Academic Progress rules, specifically for the new rules on Rate of Progression (ROP) and gpa. Yavapai College’s SAP policy is located at: http://www.yc.edu/v4content/financial-aid/finaid/sap.htm
Northern Arizona Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) still has openings for our second Spring session in our open-entry free computer or math modules for any qualified veteran in Northern Arizona. For more information, please call (928)717-7686.
The Verde Valley Job & Education Fair on April 4, 2012, was well-attended by employers and job seekers. Veteran hiring-preferences were noted by several employers with openings, including Yavapai County (at: http://apps.co.yavapai.az.us/employment/ ) and YCSO Detention, which is G.I. Bill approved, and includes paid academy training.
Here is a well-done documentary called In Their Own Words, about student veterans and their transition to college. Enjoy at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXIeI20tpSA
Congress passed, and the President has signed into law, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) for unemployed Veterans between 35-60 years old who no longer have access to VA educational benefits. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DoL) are working together to roll out this new program on July 1, 2012. Check out the details at: http://gibill.va.gov/benefits/other_programs/vrap.html
Changes in the federal regulations for Pell grants may affect you – if you are a current student, please check your school’s financial aid webpage for the new Satisfactory Academic Progress rules, specifically for the new rules on Rate of Progression (ROP) and gpa. Yavapai College’s SAP policy is located at: http://www.yc.edu/v4content/financial-aid/finaid/sap.htm
Northern Arizona Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) still has openings for our second Spring session in our open-entry free computer or math modules for any qualified veteran in Northern Arizona. For more information, please call (928)717-7686.
The Verde Valley Job & Education Fair on April 4, 2012, was well-attended by employers and job seekers. Veteran hiring-preferences were noted by several employers with openings, including Yavapai County (at: http://apps.co.yavapai.az.us/employment/ ) and YCSO Detention, which is G.I. Bill approved, and includes paid academy training.
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