The Veterans Services Office works in tandem with the Financial Aid Office and the college to enable student veterans and dependents of veterans to take full advantage of their veterans educational benefits as well as federal and state financial aid programs. The VSO strives to provide a positive and caring community for our student veterans built on shared experiences and dedication to service. We are committed to supporting opportunities for access to higher education and the achievement of vocational and professional goals through ensuring consistent and timely delivery of services to our students.
The VSO administers federal and state educational benefits programs for eligible veterans and dependents of veterans, serving those who are students at Butte College or who plan to attend Butte. These services include certification of veterans educational benefits, referrals to both on- and off-campus resources including financial aid, and supervision of Veterans Work-Study. The regulatory services are guided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Further guidance is provided by the Student Services and Special Programs Office within the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. The VSO also provides oversight for the Veterans Resource Center (VRC). They are located in the same building to provide veterans with easy access to information and certification, as well as to promote a sense of community for those who have the common bond of having served in one of the branches of the armed services. As with financial aid, regulations concerning new GI Bill chapters have grown exponentially while the number of staff -- one certifying official who also has financial aid responsibilities -- has remained the same. For several years, Butte College Veterans Services and the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) have received state and national attention for a model programming. This is a source of pride for Butte College but it has been accomplished on a shoestring and should be directly supported by district funds. We have seen a steady increase in the number of students served through the VSO over the past two years. This increase in numbers of student veterans is predicted to continue.
Equipment - Scanner
This augmentation may have been approved however, we have not yet received the funding or equipment.
Office furniture for dedicated counselor
Student Veterans can now visit with a counselor inside the VRC.
Part-time Special Programs Clerk
The Special Programs Clerk has added tremendous value to the VRC. This individual has been doing outreach to our Veterans and dependents of Veterans to offer support as they work through registration, certification of GI Bill benefits and completion of Financial Aid.
While the development of SLO's for the Veterans Services Office is still underway, we have identified our outcome; to increase the number of Veterans and dependents of Veterans that apply for and complete the process of financial aid. The VSO recently hired a part-time Special Programs Clerk through Student Equity funding, their responsibility is to conduct outreach to our Veteran population that have yet to complete a FAFSA application, have not fully completed the financial aid process, and Veterans that have recently been discharged from the service that may qualify for aid due to a change in their economic situation.
The VSO is committed to ensuring that our Veteran students receive adequate and equitable resources as they work towards meeting their educational goals. With the addition of the Special Programs Clerk and Veterans Counselor, we are confident that our efforts to add additional resources and services for our Veteran population will support and impact the overall College Achievement Standards and Goals.
Our current baseline measures are as follows in 2014-2015 we had 724 students utilizing the VSO services and resources:
FAFSA completion 64%: 462
Our goal is to increase FAFSA completion by 20%
File completion 51%: 375
Our goal is to have 100% of the students that submit a FAFSA, have their file reviewed and completed for Federal Student Aid eligibility
The VSO has implemented several initiatives that directly support the Strategic Direction and Priorities of the college. We have increased outreach to students that apply to the college and self-identify as a Veteran to inform them of the services and resources provided by the VSO. Our goals are directly aligned with the college through supporting entry and connection to important services that will support student success.
We also conduct outreach to students through mid-semester follow up with students utilizing the VSO services to ensure they are receiving the support they need, the Veterans Counselor is doing outreach to students who are having academic challenges to provide support and resources to ensure they meet their educational goals.
The VSO recently replaced 10 lab computers.
The VSO has not received a Program Review since 2007-2008 however, we are continually evaluating the policies, process, access, resources and support needs of the VSO and the students we serve.
Goals for the VSO are to make sure the needs for the students utilizing the Veteran Services services and resources are being met by way of:
Outreach
Communication
Campus awareness
Advocate for the needs of student Veterans
One-stop shop experience by combing VA, Counseling and FA services in one location
Increased retention and graduation rates
Strategy 1 - Appropriate Compensation for District VA Certifying Official
ENSURE APPROPRIATE USE OF CATEGORICAL FUNDING. The salary and benefits for the VA certifying official are covered entirely by categorical funds. It would be prudent for the district to cover a portion of this cost as the scope of the majority of the duities for this position is outside that of the financial aid arena. We propose that the district cover 50% of the cost while 50% of the cost be covered by BFAP SFAA funds. We feel that this distribution would better meet the intent of the allowable usage guidelines under the BFAP SFAA regulations.
The Chancellor’s Office does not currently provide a dedicated budget to support veterans programs. At Butte College, the FAO has historically supported all services for veterans through state financial aid programs funds (BFAP). The VSO and its student program (VRC) have been lauded state-wide as a model program, while the number of students served has increased by 75% over the past 4 years.
The Certifying Official(CO) is paid through Financial Aid Office state funding (BFAP) as a Financial Aid Assitant Senior, and is required to perform financial aid duties as well as those required in the VSO. Not only has the program grown in size, the scope of its work has increased by the complexity and number of state and federal regulations, overwhelming the original organizational and funding model.
The operations of the VSO, with increased regulatory compliance demands, should be under the oversight of a certifying official with supervisory responsibility.
In order to sustain the quality of service that has been recognized, we request (1) that the current certifying official be reclassified from a FAA II Senior to a class that compensates for program oversite and supervision of staff, (2) that 50% of the cost of the certifying official be moved to the District budget, which would allow the BFAP funds to be used for positions that more closely fit the intent of the allowable usage guidelines such as an administrative assistant for the FAO (see FAID Unit Plan);
Strategy 2 - Establish District Funded Operating Budget
Establish a district funded operating budget for supplies and training.
The Veterans Services Office currently receives no funds from the district for supplies and training. It is imperative that the certifying official stay current on changes to student eligibility, institutional responsibilities, and changes to VA programs.
Strategy 3 - Electronic Records Retention
Begin scanning student veteran records as the district converts to Image Now.
Electronic storage of records is efficient and is in line with the districts focus on sustainable practices.
Strategy 4 - Awareness & Celebrations of our student veterans
Hold events at district locations to celebrate our student veterans and to bring about awareness of the unique issues they face. Awareness would come in the forms of presenations and trainings for faculty, staff and students and also through our annual Veterans Day event.
Veterans face unique issues as the transition from combat to civilian life. Add to that the transition to acadamia and it can be very overwhelming for both the veteran and his/her family. It is imperative that we ensure faculty, staff and students have an awareness of these issues. Veterans bring a unique perspective on diversity to campus. The majority of our incoming veterans have spent extensive amounts of time living in other countries and have experienced the culture (food, music, government, industry, education) along side the citizens of those countries.
Strategy 5 - Computer monitors
4 additional computer montiors to support the transition to Image Now.
Having dual monitors will allow for staff to access and view multiple system requirements while serving students.
Strategy 6 - Hire Support Staff for VSO
Hire one part-time Special Program Clerks to assist with the intake, processing, outreach, data entry and campus community events.
Currently the VSO does not have a defined budget to support the many initiatives and goals it has set to enhance support and services to our Veteran students. Currently the VSO office is dependent on VA Work Studies (Volunteers) that are funded through the VA program, the addition of support staff will allow the VSO to be more visible during community and campus events, outreach efforts would expand dramatically, and student success will increase due to additional support provided to students. VA Work Study students do not have access to support data entry needs additionally, there is high turnover which leaves the VSO with less than adequate support to meet the overall strategic goals.
None requested
Estimated $5,000 from the VA for reimbursement at $13 per student, per term for whom we certify VA educational benefits for.
| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Personnel | To be established | 52120 | $0.00 | $85,189.00 |
| Compensation for FAA Senior/Veterans Certifying Official | Moving the CO to the district budget would more reasonably align with the spending guidelines of BFAP-SFAA funding and would free up some portion of BFAP-SFAA funds to assist with additional staffing needs in the FAO. This estimate includes $28602 (salary) + $14,991 (benefits). |
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| 2 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Personnel | To be established | 52150 | $0.00 | $21,639.00 |
| One additional part-time support staff for the VSO | The VSO needs additional support staff in order to provide necessary services and resources to our Veteran students. Currently the VSO is operated by the Certifying Official, with increased implementation of state and federal changes and the higher turnover of VA Work Studies it is critical to provide additional support to ensure continued program success. |
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| 3 | Veterans Services | Operating Expenses | $0.00 | $2,000.00 | ||
| Campus Awareness | Establish budget for on-going events such as Veterans Day Celebration |
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| 4 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Operating Expenses | To be established | 54200 | $0.00 | $2,500.00 |
| Printing, duplicating, office supplies, travel | Certifying official needs funds for training in order to stay current of changes in regulations and to better serve students. Funds are needed for basic operational costs such as paper and toner. |
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| 5 | Veterans Services Office | Equipment | To be established | 56410 | $1,350.00 | $0.00 |
| Scanner | As the college moves to Image Now, the VSO would like to begin using electronic files. |
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