Required Documents/Tasks

In order to utilize your VA education benefits at SUU, you will need to complete the following:

1. Submit the following documents to the Veterans Center:

2. Call or visit the Veterans Center to provide the following:

  • Utah Residency Verification (ALL Veterans and Dependents will be granted in-state residency/tuition)
  • DEPENDENTS will need to provide Social Security Numbers and Birth Dates for themselves and their Sponsor
  • VETERANS please ensure you have sent an official copy of your JST/CCAF to SUU Admissions

3. Attend the Military Connected Student Orientation 

  • This is REQUIRED for all students utilizing VA Benefits (Fully online students or those with extenuating circumstances, please let us know. Masters students are not required to attend but welcome)
  • Usually held a few days prior to the start of the semester so please watch your email for date, time, and location or call the Veterans Center to check

Requesting Certification

Once the Required Documents steps 1 and 2 are complete and you have officially registered for courses, you can request certification which will initiate your VA education benefits. 

Key Reminders

  • POST 9/11 (Chp 33): We cannot forecast when the VA will pay your tuition and fees but you will not be dropped from your courses as long as you have your certification is submitted (Ignore automated "drop" emails). Also keep in mind your monthly housing allowance will be paid at end of each month, not prior (For example, September's will be paid on October 1st)
  • DEA (Chp 35): Please make sure you have a payment plan set up with the Cashier's Office as your stipend is paid directly to you and not the school. This will ensure you do not get dropped from your courses for nonpayment. Contact the Cashier’s Office or set up a plan on your student portal under Balances 
  • VR&E (Chp 31): Check with the Veterans Center to ensure that your counselor has submitted a PO (Purchase Order) to SUU
  • Certifications must be submitted EVERY semester in order to utilize your VA education benefits
  • If you add or drop a course, please submit another certification (put a checkbox by ALL courses, not just the newly added) or you may contact the Veterans Center to have your current certification returned to you to update courses
  • AVIATION STUDENTS: If you are waiting for a flight lab to be added to your schedule, you have the option to submit a certification with the courses you are registered for to initiate your VA education benefits and then update your certification once the lab is added
  • If you have questions, please contact the Veterans Center or see our tutorial video on How to Request VA Certification

Request Certification

Additional Tasks

  • Apply for FAFSA (You might qualify for a Pell Grant-free money!) 

Apply for Financial Aid

  • Obtain your digital student ID (This will be required to access our Veterans Lounge) 

Set Up Mobile T-Bird ID

Veteran Center Resources

The Veterans Center offers many resources just for YOU, our military connected students!

Knowledge Locker Book Rental

The Veterans Center maintains a textbook library for our students to rent each semester for only $10! Also, if you donate a book you will receive a semester of textbook rental free! Stop by and check out our wide selection of books.

Veterans Lounge

Our lounge is located in room 122 of the Student Center, this space is just for military connected students. There are couches, work stations with computers, whiteboards, TV, coffee, snacks, and a student classifieds board. Come study, relax or just hang out with other students!

Military Connected Student Scholarship

The Veterans Center awards $250 general scholarships to four (4) outstanding students who are military-connected and may have a financial need each Fall and Spring semester. Apply for the Military Connected Student Scholarship!

Military Connected Mentor Program

The Military Connected Mentor Program delivers support, resources, and on-going services designed to assist each of our military-connected students’ needs while helping them progress towards academic, personal, and professional opportunities and goals. The Veteran Success Coordinator can assist with the following:

  • Semesterly Goal Planning/Accountability 
  • Degree Planning 
  • Campus/Community Resources 
  • VA Education Benefits Assistance 
  • VA Mental Health/Disability/Healthcare 
  • And more! 

Monthly Newsletter

Each month, the Veterans Center puts out a monthly newsletter with our upcoming events, academic tools/skills, a scholarship spotlight, and a “Get Outdoors” section to highlight why we are the "University of the Parks”. Also, answer the trivia question at the bottom to be placed in our monthly prize drawings! 

Military Connected Resources Canvas Shell

This will appear on your Canvas once you start at SUU and serves as a one-stop shop for resources, information, and announcements that we put out to our students. Check it often to see what's happening with the Veterans Center!

Priority Registration

Veterans and currently serving students (whether using benefits or not), and dependents that are using VA education benefits are able to priority register each semester. Take advantage of this opportunity before classes fill up!

Student Veterans of America Club

We assist military connected students at SUU in reaching their academic goals, networking for post-graduation employment, and in efforts to continue "serving others before self" by providing resources and opportunities. SUUSVA is comprised of military-connected students as well as students with no military background. Moving forward together in a spirit of "we want you", the SUUSVA strives for 100% participation in chapter meetings, service projects, events and activities designed by the members, for the members. Comradery is our ethos. We take care of our own. Join the Student Veterans of America Club!

  • Student involvement activities
  • Leadership and volunteer opportunities
  • Participation can help with scholarships and looks great on a resume!
  • Networking and connecting with other military connected students and local veterans organizations
  • Cabinet leaders have the potential to receive VA work study pay if utilizing VA education benefits

Interested in leading or participating in SVA events? Fill out this quick survey!

VSO (Veterans Service Officer)

To provide added VA benefit claim assistance to our students and community veterans, the SUU Veterans Center in collaboration with the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs hosts two Veterans Service Officers. Our VSOs are trained and accredited to represent Utah Veterans in filing claims and appeals and work multiple days a week inside the Veterans Center. Benefits a VSO can assist with:

  • Service-connected disability claims
  • VA Claim denial/rebuttal assistance
  • VA pension benefits
  • VA Medical enrollment/assistance
  • Burial benefit assistance
  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (Spouse/Dependents)
  • Federal and State Benefits / Resources

Schedule an VSO appointment!

VITAL Program (Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership)

The Veteran Success Coordinator works with the VITAL program to help provide assistance transitioning from military to college life and help enhance academic success through:

  • VA clinical referrals for mental health
  • Enrolling or transferring VA Healthcare
  • Setting up academic accommodations

Basic Needs/Housing

Housing

  • University Housing
  • Off-Campus Student Housing Options
  • For other available rentals, please contact the various property management companies in town as well as Facebook Marketplace and blogs. Don’t forget to check our classifieds board in the Veterans Lounge for students looking for roommates

SUU HOPE Pantry

The Southern Utah University HOPE Pantry provides essential food and toiletry items to SUU students, as well as educational opportunities to develop food budgeting, meal planning, and cooking skills. The Pantry also works to raise awareness of food insecurity and food waste, and encourages student engagement in learning and service opportunities to address these issues on our campus and in our community. Located in the Sharwan Smith Student Center, Room 120

Health & Wellness Center

The SUU Health & Wellness Center improves student success by promoting holistic health and well-being of students through comprehensive programming, peer-to-peer support, and preventative education. Located next to the radio station in Suite 175 of the Sharwan Smith Student Center, the Health and Wellness Center has information and resources for all things health and wellness including:

  • Self Care Station Supplies
  • Wellness Resources
  • Wellness Room

Student Health Clinic

In partnership with FourPoints Health, the Student Health Clinic provides free medical care to help students while in school. Current SUU students can receive treatment in the on-campus clinic on a walk-in, first-come first-served basis.

CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services)

CAPS is staffed with experienced licensed mental health professionals including psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors who work with students to reduce the interference of everyday stress and also treat more serious conditions. CAPS regular services include individual counseling, couples, counseling, group counseling and workshops, and biofeedback.

Child Care

Non-Traditional Student Services provides a list of daycares, preschools, and after-school programs in Cedar City, Enoch, and St George. All of the providers listed are certified by the state of Utah however, please ensure the safety and licensing of the facility and caregivers prior to leaving your children.

Veteran students receive priority consideration for the CCAMPIS child care grant, and in some cases, it has covered up to 95% of a student’s total child care costs. Reach out to the CCAMPIS Coordinator for questions about eligibility.

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Academic Resources

Degree Works

This app is located on the right side of your student portal under RESOURCES and is a great way to stay on track and ensure a timely completion of your degree. Your academic advisor uses the app to help create a whole degree plan with you of what courses you plan to take and when, all the way through to graduation. Or the Veterans Center has a tutorial video that teaches you how to create plans yourself. It is helpful to have all classes broken down by semester through to graduation which makes registration so much easier. It is also a VA requirement (if using VA education benefits) to have one saved that has all classes broken down by semester through to graduation. 

Disabilities

The Disability Resource Center provides qualified students with disabilities the opportunity to have equal access to Utah academic programs as they navigate their own educational journey at our institution. Reasonable accommodations are available for students each semester.

The Nest

SUU's student help center was created to answer any questions you may have, point you in the right direction, give you advice, a place to do homework and relax, and a one-stop-shop for all of your needs. There you will find the ACES, which are student peer mentors that provide you with relevant resources, connections, and helpful tips on how to succeed as a student at SUU, both inside and outside the classroom. 

Registration

  • Visit the Veterans Center tutorial page for a video that provides a step-by-step guide on how to register for classes using the Registration app in the BANNER section of your student portal
  • For videos on how to register for classes using the Registration Schedule Builder, please visit the Registrar's Course Scheduler page for tutorials

SUU Library 

The Gerald R. Sherratt Library has study/social spaces, professional literature in print and digital formats, portal to subscription databases, and a Copy Shop

Speech and Presentation Center

The Public Speaking Center is designed to assist students, faculty, and staff in improving their abilities to write and present speeches. The center is staffed by SUU students who provide these services. Set an appointment by either booking online, calling, emailing, or dropping by during our hours.

Tutoring Center

Tutors help SUU students deepen their understanding of course content and also provide academic coaching to sharpen your study skills and test-taking strategies. The Tutoring Center offers free drop-in tutoring, recurring tutoring, free group tutoring, and online tutoring. 

Writing Center

The SUU Writing Center includes three branches: the Undergraduate Writing Center, the Graduate Writing Center, and the Writing Fellows program. Our staff of undergraduate writing tutors and graduate writing consultants are trained to assist SUU writers with all aspects of the writing process.

Financial Resources

FAFSA

We encourage all our students to apply for FAFSA as the Federal government is a large source of aid for students who need financial assistance. This aid is provided through grants, loans and work study awards. You may even qualify for a Pell Grant!

Financial Aid & Scholarship Office 

The Financial Aid office helps students financially by informing students about financial aid that may be available to them. This includes loans, grants, and scholarships.

Financial Wellness Office

The SUU Financial Wellness team is dedicated to promoting a culture of financial well-being by providing students and families with the financial tools needed to succeed in their academics and beyond.

Scholarships

Employment Resources

SUU Veteran Center Work Study Positions

If you are looking for a part time employment opportunity that works around your class schedule, the Veterans Center is looking for motivated individuals to fill VA work-study and peer mentor positions:

  • Federal minimum wage but tax free!
  • Flexible hours that work around your class schedule
  • Must be using at least 3/4 time VA Education Benefits
  • Must have at least a 2.5 GPA to qualify

If interested, please upload the application and your resume to the Veteran Center Secure File Sharing Link

Job Openings at SUU

SUU often has many faculty, staff, and student jobs available right here on campus.  Search SUU Job Listings.

SUU Career and Professional Development Center

The SUU Career Center offers services to help current SUU students and SUU alumni improve their job search skills and find employment opportunities. 

Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs

The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs is committed to easing your transition from military service to the civilian world. Whether you are seeking to advance your career or looking to start something new, there are multiple resources at the state and federal level to help.

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