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N Recently, the Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs performed an audit of the student files of all individuals

who are receiving VA benefits.

What they found upon reviewing these files was that the VA was charged for fees that were thought to apply to programs such as Chapter 33, but could not be paid under the guidelines set forth by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

In order for fees to qualify, they must meet three (3) criteria: 1. Must be class related

2. Must be required for graduation 3. Must apply to all students without the possibility of refund

The semester fees that appear on students bills that fall under that criteria include lab fees assigned to any class, University Services, Enrollment, Application, Transportation and Parking, Distance Education, Nursing Pinning.

Fees that were thought to apply were the Student Activities Fee and the new Counseling Services Fee. It is possible that the Counseling Service fee will be included once the criteria for that fee is established. Until that time, we can not bill the VA

until the guidelines are set. The Student Activities Fee ($50) is placed on every account until the student requests a refund. Because this is a refundable fee, it can not be billed toward the VA.

If you receive a debt letter from the VA, you will need to follow the instructions on the letter. To apply for a refund on the Student Activities fee, you can request this on-line at: https://www.usi.edu/deanofstudents/student-activity-fee.

Once you request a refund, it will be removed from your bill from that point until you re-instate it.

Questions should be brought to the VM&FRC Office.

Veteran, Military & Family Resource Center - Student Veteran Association - American Legion Post 3248600 University Boulevard, Education Center 0114, Evansville, Indiana 47712

VA Audit Reveals Fees That Must Be Returned - Chapter 33 Students Effected

Mark your calendars for this event: April 1, 6 p.m. Forum 1

Josh Bleill, Indianapolis Colts Community Spokesperson

Marine Corporal Josh Bleill [Bly-ul; rhymes with “Kyle” or “smile”] is a native of Greenfield, Indiana. After graduating high school, Josh attended Purdue University. Upon completion of his education, Josh decided to serve his country by joining the United States Marine Corps in 2004, and was activated for a tour of duty in Iraq in 2006.

While serving in Iraq, Corporal Bleill was severely injured,

resulting in the loss of both of his legs. After extensive rehabilitation, Bleill returned to Indiana in August of 2008, where he attacked his new life head-on. This new life included employment as the Indianapolis Colts Community Spokesperson.

Indianapolis Colts Owner, Jim Irsay, has described Bleill as “very talented, bright-eyed, and skilled,” and Josh now travels the country to spread his message of hope, “one step at a time.”

For more information, contact USI Disability Resources at 812-464-1961.

OIF Veteran Josh Bleill Speaks At USI Fourm 1 - April 1

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 5 SPRING 2015APRIL MAY1 - Veteran Job Fair - CK Newsome Center - 1-5 pm

1-2 - Commencement - PAC Arena - (Time Varies by School)

1 - Josh Bleill - USI Forum 1 - 6:00 pm 1-6 - FINALS CONTINUE7 - HP Veterans Case Competition - Carter Hall - 8:00 am - 12:30 pm

5 - AL Post 324 Meeting - VM&FRC Office - 4 pm

7 - AL Post 324 Meeting - VM&FRC Office - 4 pm 13 - SUMMER I Begins30 - FINALS BEGIN 25 - Memorial Day

Mr. Joel Matherly, Manager (812) 461-5302

jsmatherly@usi.edu

Mrs. Debra Mabern, Associate (812) 461-1857

dlmabern@usi.edu

Ever since my colleague Amy Bushatz wrote about Tricare users needing to tick the correct box on their 2014 federal income tax forms to reflect that fact that they have Tricare health insurance, her mailbox has been out of control with questions on how to do this.

The new Affordable Care Act has a provision that penalizes taxpayers who do not have health insurance and choose not to purchase health insurance via the new health care exchanges. These penalties are happening via the federal income tax return. If you have qualified health insurance, then you show that on your tax return. Unfortunately, the line is small, the labelling is poor, and the instructions are slim.

There are three versions of the basic 1040 federal income tax return: the 1040EZ, the 1040A, and the regular 1040. Each has a different level of complexity and lets people include more information to reflect different tax situations. Each one has a line where you state that you have health care coverage, but it is a different line for each form. Fortunately, it is not nearly as difficult as it looks. Each form has a line that says Health Care: individual responsibility (see instructions), and then the words Full-year coverage and then a box. IF you had an acceptable forms of Tricare for the entire 2014 calendar and tax year, then you just check the box and you are done.Tricare coverage that meets the requirement of minimum essential coverage includes:◾Prime,◾Standard,◾Tricare for Life,◾Overseas,◾Remote, and◾Uniformed Services Family Health Plan, and also◾Tricare Young Adult,◾Tricare Reserve Select, and◾Tricare Retired Reserve.

Minimum required coverage is also provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to those who are enrolled with the VA for health care, and for those who are enrolled in the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA (CHAMPVA.)

1040EZIf you file the 1040EZ, the health care question is located on Line 11 of the form. If your spouse (if applicable) and you were both covered by acceptable Tricare health insurance (as listed above) for the entire 2014 calendar year, then you can check the box and continue. Easy!

1040AThe form 1040A form poses the health care question on line 38, on page two of the form. If everyone claimed on this tax form was eligible for acceptable Tricare coverages (as listed above) for the entire 2014 calendar year, then tick the box and move on to the rest of the form.

Please be sure that you understand that you are indicating that every member covered by the tax form has had eligible coverage for the entire year. This question is only likely to get complicated if you have dependent parents, or if you have a strange situation where your spouse and children don’t have Tricare because you have never enrolled them in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

Form 1040The forms may get more complicated, but indicating that you have health care coverage doesn’t get any harder. On the Form 1040, health care identification occurs on line 61, on page two. As with the forms listed above, if everyone represented on this tax form has been covered by qualified Tricare health coverage for the entire 2014 calendar year, your only responsibility is to put a check in the box and continue on with the form.

Now, if you were not covered by Tricare or other minimum essential coverage for the entire 2014 calendar year, or if you have some family members who were not covered, then you have an entirely different set of questions. I encourage you to go to the IRS website and do some reading, or enlist the assistance of a qualified tax person to help ensure that you complete this new portion of the tax return properly.

How to Identify Tricare on Tax Forms - Kate Horrell, Military.com

VETERAN HOLDS—Veteran holds are placed on the Monday following the 100% drop/add period and run until priority registration. They are reestablished after the PR period ends and will come off during finals.

PRIORITY REGISTRATION—If you are currently using VA Benefits (GI Bill), you qualify for priority registration regardless of your academic alignment (Freshman—Senior). Plan you next semester before this date and schedule an appointment with your advisor.

VA CERTIFICATE OF ENROLLMENT FORM due EACH SEMESTER you plan to use benefits. Find this form at http://www.usi.edu/reg/ssl/vaformlogin.asp . Complete yours as soon as you register for classes.

VFW 1114 Dining Room Open to Public—Friday, Saturday, Sunday BrunchBreakfast $6.00 1st/3rd SaturdayPrime Rib 1st/3rd SaturdayBuffet Friday Night $9.95

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would give qualified members of the National Guard and Reserve a tiered preference in hiring for federal civil service jobs. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) are also supporting the legislation. The Military Reserve Jobs Act of 2015 would help promote the hiring of National Guard members and Reservists into the federal workforce.

Donnelly said, “Members of our National Guard and Reserve serve our country honorably, whether overseas or here in our home states. Some members of the Reserve Component currently cannot access hiring preferences when applying for federal civil service jobs. These men and women have shown their commitment to protecting our national security and public safety by joining the National Guard or Reserves, and deserve preference in the federal hiring process. This bipartisan bill respects the unique service and sacrifice of our overseas combat veterans, while recognizing the contributions of Guard members and Reservists. I thank my colleague Senator Cruz for joining me in this effort.”

Cruz said, “Our nation has asked much of its Armed Forces during the past 14 years of conflict, and our Reserve and National Guard components have performed exceptionally. It is due to their contributions that the United States has been able to provide an unprecedented level of sustained combat capability. Americans who serve in the Reserves or National Guard should receive appropriate access and opportunity for federal employment in recognition of their patriotic sacrifice. I am proud to cosponsor Sen. Donnelly’s bill that will provide much needed reform to federal hiring standards, by recognizing and demonstrating appreciation for our greatest asset, the men and women willing to put on a uniform to defend this country.”

Members of the National Guard and Reserves do not qualify for hiring preferences if they have never been deployed. While some members of the Reserve Component qualify for veterans’ hiring preference through overseas service, others who put in years of serving our nation do not. As of 2013, the National Guard Bureau estimated that approximately 159,400 Army National Guard soldiers (44 percent of the total force) and 73,700 Air National Guard airmen (70 percent of the total force) serve without having qualified for veterans’ hiring preference.

The Military Reserve Jobs Act would close the gap for National Guard members and Reservists who may not qualify for veterans’ preference points and would promote hiring of Reserve Component members into the federal workforce. Currently, the Office of Personnel Management assigns a 5-point hiring preference for veterans who served during war or during a specific time period for a defined length of service. The Military Reserve Jobs Act would implement a tiered “Military Reserve” hiring preference for members of the Reserve Components who do not otherwise qualify for preference under existing laws. Under the bill, a qualified member of the reserve component would be able to claim a 2-point or 3-point preference, depending on their length of service.

Guard and Reserve members face unique employment challenges due to employers’ concerns about hiring servicemembers who may be called up for duty at any time. In addition, members of the Guard and Reserves are more likely to remain in the force if they are gainfully employed, and the Reserve Components can achieve a higher level of readiness if turnover is minimized.

Donnelly, Cruz, and Leahy introduced similar legislation in 2013.

Donnelly, Cruz: Recognize Contributions of National Guard, Reserves with Tiered Preference in Hiring for Civil Service Jobs

Become a Member of the On-Campus American Legion Post 324The American Legion conducts many major programs and is a good way to remain active with your comrades in arms.Our Legionnaires participate in many community activities and is one of two on a college campus in Indiana. Like everything else, it lives off of participation and your help is needed. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month. Contact Pete Snowden, Post 324 Commander, at 812-464-1878.

Army veteran Anthony Kennedy’s heart has always been in policy advocacy for veterans. In 2010, after more than 17 years of

military service, Kennedy returned to school to follow his passion in serving service members, veterans and their families. However, working toward his Master’s Degree in Social Work Direct Practice exhausted Kenney’s Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits.

While searching the VFW website for information on a college scholarship, he stumbled across an advertisement for the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program. The fellowship program, currently in its inaugural year, offers student veterans the opportunity to participate in the annual VFW National Legislative Conference

in Washington, D.C. Selected fellows join VFW representatives, walking the halls of Congress and meeting with their state legislators to discuss issues facing today’s student veterans.

Realizing this experience would be an opportunity of a lifetime, Kennedy applied for the fellowship.

When Kennedy received word he was one of 10 fellows selected to storm Capitol Hill with the VFW he was, “elated and also hesitant because I felt that I had too much on my plate from my current internship and work with veterans and also as a full-time student.” Knowing policy and advocacy work for veterans fit into his future goals, he found a way to have his fellowship become part of his academic plan.

Leading up to the 2015 VFW Legislative Conference, Kennedy found himself with no specific

expectations for his VFW-SVA fellowship. This helped him keep an open mind to the full Fellowship experience. “During the two days I spent lobbying on Capitol Hill, I walked around from office to office with a World War II veteran, a Vietnam veteran and a Gulf War veteran … it was truly an honor to [have the company of such men],” said Kennedy.

While advocating on Capitol Hill, Kennedy had a chance to express his desire for future policies that authorize advocacy for veterans who need mental health treatment while reintegrating into civilian life. Reflecting on his time as a fellow, Kennedy said his experience reaffirmed his belief that his heart lies in policy advocacy for veterans.

For more information on the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship, visit: www.vfw.org/studentfe l lowship.

Student Veteran’s VFW-SVA Fellowship Experience Reaffirms Career Goals - VFW.org

The head of The American Legion has praised the Senate for u n a n i m o u s l y passing an a m e n d m e n t to remind the

Department of Veterans Affairs that it is obligated to provide non-VA care when it cannot offer that same treatment at one of its own facilities within 40-miles driving distance from a veteran’s home.

The call to VA to clarify its stance was embodied in an amendment, offered by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., to the Senate’s budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 11).

“This bill simply calls on VA to do what it already had the authority to do,” National Commander Michael D. Helm said. “Intent is everything. When Congress passed the Veterans

Access, Choice and Accountability Act last year, it once again gave VA this authority. I say ‘once again’ because VA had this authority on a fee-basis long before the Choice act. Despite this authority, VA was trying to find loopholes by denying people who were near VA clinics that did

not offer the needed services the right to use an alternative provider.

“We applaud Sen. Jerry Moran for writing this amendment, even though it’s a shame that such a common sense measure needs

to be spelled out repeatedly for VA. We call on the House to pass this measure quickly and send an unmistakable message to VA.”

Moran emphasized the importance of providing non-VA health care to veterans during Helm’s congressional

testimony on Feb. 25. The Kansas senator calculated the distance from Helm’s home in Norcatur, Kan., to the nearest VA facilities.

“It’s 267 miles to Denver,” Moran said. “It’s 287 miles to Wichita. It’s 287 miles to Omaha and the nearest CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Center) is 100 miles away. I appreciate the perspective that this

commander will bring about caring for all veterans regardless of where they live in the United States.”

See more at http://www.legion.org.

Commander Applauds Senate for Clarifying ‘40-mile rule’ - The American Legion

OMK is ending on March 31, so we are beginning a transition. OMK was part of the Indiana 4-H program and will continue to offer events for military youth to connect in fun ways across the state. From now on, we will be known as the Indiana 4-H Military Partnership. Our programming will be a little different but we still look forward to seeing all of Indiana’s military kids at our programs!

Bring On The Fun!

Meet other military kids in your area

Military kids, if you like digging in soil, learning about food, or going to camp, you’re going to love the fun events coming up over spring and summer breaks.

Parents, if you want just a few hours of silence, we have lots of fun, safe events for your kids

to participate in over spring and summer breaks. Your child does not have to be enrolled in 4-H to participate in these opportunities. All of the events are free for military youth of all branches but you will need to provide transportation to the events and, in some cases, a sack lunch for your child.

Register soon because space is limited. Find more information at: http://us5.campaign-archive1.

These events are made possible by funds from the Army Child, Youth & School Services to support geographically dispersed youth of Indiana through local or regional 4-H programming. The specific area supported by this grant is the Purdue Extension Area 6 which includes Marion and all surrounding counties. These eight counties account for approximately 6,500 military kids!

Do you see an event you’d like to attend but it’s too far away or you live in these areas and want to assist with future military youth events? Email us at our new email address, in4hmilitary@gmail.com and They will talk about ways we can make it happen in your community!

Don’t forget to register for the 5th annual military kids camp at Dunes Learning Center. This week-long camp is filled with swimming, nature, and fun. If you’re a military kid between the ages of 9-14, you’ll want to register soon because it’s filling fast! Scroll to the bottom of the page at www.duneslearningcenter.o r g / s u m m e r - c a m p

INDIANA 4-H MILITARY PARTNERSHIP - The Operation: Military Kids (OMK) program will be ending

ANNOUNCEMENTS & FAMILY EVENTS

Applications are open now through April 6th!

What’s Operation Purple Camp, and why is it PURPLE? That’s a great question, we’re glad you asked! At OPC, we offer military kids a FREE WEEK of camp where they connect with other kids, just like them. And purple happens to be the perfect mix of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force Blue, Marine Corps Red, and Navy blue! In the military world, purple symbolizes all who serve, and at our Association, we know families serve, too!

At Operation Purple Camp, being a military kid ROCKS and we celebrate by bringing together kids from all ranks and services, including National Guard and Reserve components. They bond through a unique and memorable “purple”

summer camp experience, which includes everything from kayaking and hiking to rock climbing, and zip lining. The only thing better than that? S’MORES! - See more at: http://www.militaryfamily.org/kids-operation-purple/camps/#sthash.BgxjJiih.dpuf

The local YMCA is once again hosting Operation Purple Camp and for the second year will be hosting Camp Corral. Priorityregistrations for OPC go to children where a parent is currently deployed but anyone can apply.

For Camp Corral priority goes to children who have lost a parent in combat, wounded warriors, PTSD and then on through deploymentand serving but currently Stateside.Both these camps are completely free to the families, we partner with eachorganization on the fund raising to

make sure the camps happen. We also have a third option “Operation MilitarySupport” where we partner directly with the families and split the cost 50/50.

Here’s a link on the website to those three programs,

Camps for children of the military http://www.campcarson.org/#!campsandprograms/cxw8

Here is Mark’s information as well:Mark ScoularExecutive DirectorYMCA Camp Carson2034 Outer Lake RdPrinceton, IN 47670Office 8123853597Cell 8124559233

Visit it us at camp carson.org <http://carson.org> Watch camp

OPERATION: Purple Camps and Camp Corral Registration Open

ANNOUNCEMENTS & FAMILY EVENTS