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E-Benefits Online Ever wonder how many months of benefits you have remaining or how much the VA has paid you to-date? Well now it is just a click way through your eBenefits Premium Account. The website is free and as long as you are in the DEERS system, you can register for an account using CAC, DFAS myPay, or DS login. You can get started HERE<https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal?_nfpb=true&_portlet.async=false&_pageLabel=RegistrationHelp>. Career Resources Did you know that even after you graduate from UT, regardless of how long it has been since graduation, you can utilize the Career Services Center? You can request appointments, participate in on-campus recruiting, attend job fairs and utilize their physical and online resources. For more information, please go online to http://career.utk.edu/alumni.php. Also, CareerOneStop is a good resource which can be found online at http://careeronestop.org/militarytransition/. Helping Heroes Grant Deadline for Fall 2012 application is September 1. For more information about this grant, please visit http://www.tn.gov/collegepays/mon_college/hh_grant.htm. Housing Allowances Housing allowance rates for the Post 9/11 GI Bill rate will be going up to $1092 for your August month of attendance. Keep in mind that housing allowances are pro-rated based on your tier of eligibility, training time and the number of days you are actually in class as break pay is no longer available for periods of time between terms. Direct Deposit Available for Survivors' & Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) Recipients If you receive DEA you can now sign up to have your benefits delivered via direct deposit.* To sign up for direct deposit you will need to know the type of account (checking or savings) you want your direct deposit sent to, your bank's 9-digit routing number, and your account number. Find the Routing Number on Your Check [Description: Description: Image of check] If you don't know your routing and/or account number, contact your bank for the information. Once you have your account type, routing number, and account number, you can sign up for direct deposit by: * Calling the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-GI-Bill-1 (1-888-442-4551) * Completing the direct deposit application located here<http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-24-0296-ARE.pdf> (you should select "Education" under Type of Benefit) and mailing it to: Department of Veterans Affairs 125 S. Main Street, Suite B Muskogee OK 74401-7004 *Direct deposit is only available for beneficiaries with a U.S. mailing address. VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 This program is part of the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program<http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/> and is a collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor. The program offers 12 months of training assistance to Veterans who: *Are at least 35 but no more than 60 years old *Are unemployed *Received an other than dishonorable discharge *Are not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g.: the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance) *Are not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability *Are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program The program is limited to 45,000 participants during fiscal year 2012, and to 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants will receive a monthly payment equal to the full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). DoL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates or applies to the VRAP program. Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certificate, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation. (NOTE: VA has approved the use of VA Education Benefits for the Culinary Institute Certificate<http://culinary.utk.edu/index.html>, Unexploded Ordinance Certification<http://www.conferencesandnoncreditprograms.utk.edu/UXO/home.html>, UT Executive Development, Supply Chain, Green Belt, Black Belt, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and Theory of Constraints Institute certificates. Keep in mind that the VA must deem the program as in "high demand" before they will approve you for VRAP.) This may not apply to many of you, but if you are aware of any friends or family members that it might apply to, please forward this information to them. The program begins on July 1. ================================ To view the archives or Join/Leave the UTKVA list: http://listserv.utk.edu/archives/utkva.html