Operation Promise for Servicemembers The Web Resource for Operation College Promise Our Mission -- Serving Those Who Serve
Welcome to Operation Promise for Servicemembers!
Operation College Promise (OCP) is a consortial project of New Jersey's nine state colleges and universities which expands upon Operation Promise for Servicemembers, an informational resource developed in 2008 to aid servicemembers access the tools necessary to meet their higher educational objectives. In the Spring of 2009, the site was featured in the American Council on Education's (ACE) publication "Serving Those Who Serve: Making Your Institution Military Friendly."
OCP was officially launched in April of 2009, after being selected for a competitive grant -- one of only 20 awarded nationally -- from the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Wal-Mart Foundation. The primary goals of the enhanced program are to provide access to information enabling servicemembers (both active and separated) to utilize their education benefits and hence, ease transition from service to study, as well as develop an atmosphere for servicemember success on every campus. OCP highlights the most innovative student veterans programs available through workshops designed to proactively address the needs of veterans, their dependents and the college officials who serve them. The program also publishes a monthly e-newsletter.
The OCP Advisory Board consists of representation from each of the nine consortium institutions, student veterans and collaborators including the New Jersey National Guard, The G.I. Go Fund, the War Related Illness Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Veterans for Education (V4E), and Student Veterans of America (SVA). This diverse group is charged with evaluating existing programs and services, as well as developing proactive and responsive OCP programs. To date, two events have been held: a statewide conference on student veterans on September 15, 2009, and a comprehensive program on the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill hosted by Kean University on November 10, 2009. At least eight additional programs will take place before June 2011.
OCP kicked-off its outreach efforts by participating in the welcome home parade for the members of the 50th Infantry Brigade of the New Jersey National Guard, who returned in June 2009. In August, the program joined representatives from all nine member institutions in participating in the Yellow Ribbon reintegration program for the Guard -- at a two-day conference in Atlantic City. Throughout the weekend, OCP joined several hundred support service providers in welcoming the 50th home and offering assistance in their pursuit of higher education opportunity.
The program continually participates in local community activities to reach out to veterans and make them aware of the OCP website and commitment to their civilian transition. Additional activities to access servicemembers are planned for 2010, including increased efforts to assist dependents, who are the fastest growing population of Post 9/11 G.I. Bill recipients.
OCP welcomes your comments and suggestions, please direct them to walang@njascu.org.
150 West State Street Trenton, New Jersey 08608 609-989-1100
New Jersey Veterans For You
Hotline
1-866-VETS-NJ-4
1-866-838-7654
September 15, 2009 - NJN News
Statewide Conference "Keeping the Promise - Meeting the Needs of New Jersey's Servicemembers" coverage. To see video clip, click here.
The VA has created a
tool that will give you a
rough estimate of the
benefit you will receive
under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The Estimator will ask you to enter some data, and will use that information to provide you with an estimate of your payments.
Please note, this is only an estimate and will vary depending on multiple factors. If you have questions, you may talk to a VA education benefits specialist by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) or 800-829-4833.
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with Veterans Affairs to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest pubic in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution. See which NJ state colleges have agreed to participate, and for specific information on an institution's Yellow Ribbon Program, please contact the campus coordinator. To access coordinators, click here.
You Served Our Country ...
Now Let us Serve You
Operation College Promise takes part in Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Event - August 2009. NBC40 News Coverage. To see video, click here.
Looking for someone you served with?
This site has over 1 million profiles of servicemembers and veterans of the armed forces.
Post 9/11 GI Bill Application Now Available On-Line!
The application form needed to apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill is now available online. The form requires that individuals currently eligible for another education benefit make an irrevocable election from their existing program to the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
Starting May 1, 2009, the Veterans Administration (VA) began processing applications for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. After you apply you will receive a letter explaining VA's decision regarding your eligibility for the program. NAUS recommends you download and submit the form as soon as possible. This will get your certificate of eligibility back to you from the VA in a timely manner and will allow you to "School Shop" and be able to find a school and immediately work with them to initiate the process.
Click here to access the application form that includes instructions for submitting completed applications. You can also file electronically, here.
My tour is over and I want to go back to school, what are my options ...
A lot of what you need to know is explained in the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Learn more here.
Have some questions on how to get started, click here for answers that may help you get a college degree.
