Local Resources for Veterans in Yavapai County

Local Resources for Veterans in Yavapai County

By James Elphick

            Navigating the post-service world and the higher education system can be tricky, if not downright difficult. Luckily there are numerous resources for veterans to help them with this journey.

1. Veterans Upward Bound
• First and foremost there is our program, Veterans Upward Bound, which is a pre-college program designed to prepare veterans to be successful through the rigors of college. The program provides refresher courses in core academic components to ensure veterans are entering school at the college level. There are workshops and classes relating to necessary college skills, i.e. note-taking, test-taking, college-level paper writing, etc. as well as academic and career advising. Finally, Veterans Upward Bound will help veterans locate and utilize all available resources, particularly their GI Bill and Financial Aid.
2. Local Veterans Employment Representative/Disabled Veterans Outreach Program
• Arizona Department of Economic Security employs two individuals locally that assist veterans with career and education goals. These programs have access to local employers looking to hire veterans and will help veterans with resumes, cover letters, job applications, etc. They also provide case management to help veterans with other needs while they are looking for a job. More information here.
3. OEF/OIF/OND
• Located within most VA Hospitals these days is a special program for Global War on Terrorism veterans, the OEF/OIF/OND program. This program helps returning service members with their transition, particularly with getting care from the VA. This program also provides case management in order to provide returning veterans with the proper resources to make their transition successful.
4. The Vet Center
• The Vet Center is a VA resource specifically for counseling combat veterans. This is the primary VA mental health resource for veterans in Yavapai County. Counselors are usually combat veterans themselves and can assist veterans with their transition back to civilian life.
5.  Arizona Department of Veterans Services
• AZ DVS is a state run program that assists veterans with resources and with navigating the VA, especially when filing for disability claims. 

Things All Veteran Students Should Know!

Did you know that all students can sign up for Federal Financial Aid?

The number one money related question I get from veteran students is whether or not they can use Federal Financial Aid.  Most of the time when I ask the student if they have applied for financial aid they tell me that they haven't.  They are often worried about those funds interfering with their GI Bill benefits and visa versa.  The reality is that most schools, including Yavapai College, encourage their veteran students to apply for financial aid on top of their GI Bill so that things that might not be covered by their GI Bill will be covered by another funding source!

No joke!  You really can use your GI Bill and receive other financial aid at the same time!  In fact, at most schools it is really important to go through the process of applying for financial aid because if you apply for and receive scholarships that is how the school processes the scholarship.  Aside from all that, the GI Bill does not cover everything.  Classes that are not a part of your degree, books, miscellaneous supplies, all of these things are out of pocket.  But, in most cases other financial aid will cover those expenses!

So, speaking as a School Certifying Official (aka the folks who report your enrollment to the VA) and an Advisor I can say that we absolutely encourage all of our students to apply for Federal Financial Aid alongside their GI Bill benefits.  The two different funding sources do not impact one another and you only stand to gain by utilizing both!

If you would like help applying for Federal Financial Aid as a Veteran Student please contact one of the representatives at Yavapai College's Veterans Education and Transition Services Department for an appointment.  va.services@yc.edu or vub@yc.edu

Posted By Carol Beard
Advisor/Certifying Official