COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates for Student Veterans

Updated October 19, 2020

Student Veteran Center

The Student Veteran Center is open to walk-in traffic through November 24, 2020.

Mental Health Services

• Students working with Jeff Moe, VITAL Coordinator, will continue to receive care:
  • Telehealth video conferencing will be used for all appointments beginning March 16.
  • All counseling with other VA mental health providers will be conducted via Telehealth until further notice.
  • Visit telehealth.va.gov to learn how to access VA Telehealth services. Please contact Jeff Moe directly at 254-654-8322, or via email, for specific guidance.
• Students can also access the Counseling and Mental Health Center by calling 512-471-CALL (2255);
• Visit the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System webpage for updates on facility openings.
• To enroll in VA healthcare online, visit How to apply for VA health care

Veteran Education Benefits

• VA Education Benefits:
  • Public Law No: 116-159 became effective on October 1, 2020. This Continuing Resolution allows students using Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to continue receiving their full Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) when their courses are converted from an in-residence modality to an online modality due to COVID-19, provided all other requirements are met (rate of pursuit, etc.) through December 21, 2021.Please contact our office if you have specific questions about course modality.
• Hazlewood Education Benefits:
  • No issues are anticipated for those students using Hazlewood Act benefits.

For Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve Students

Students called up by their military unit for any reason should use the following protocol:

Email Student Veteran Services with the following information (if limited by OPSEC, please provide as much information as possible):

• Your Name:
• UTEID:
• Military Unit:
• Anticipated deployment location:
• Expected deployment date:
• Estimated deployment duration:
• A copy of your orders (if you have them)

Additionally, you should:

• Read UT's policy on military absences.
• Read UT's policy regarding Withdrawal for military service if you anticipate that you will miss more than 25% of the semester due to your military absence.
• Contact your faculty and dean's office to let them know you will miss class and/or may withdraw.
• Review UT's Notice for Students Who Withdrew Due to Military Service for information about declaring your intent to re-enroll if you anticipate withdrawing due to your military service.

Student Veteran Services will inform Student Emergency Services and the UT Veteran Certifications on your behalf once we receive your information.

Student Veteran Association Updates

• The Student Veteran Association will continue to share relevant information on social media.
• The Student Veteran Association is offering limited in-person events that conform to CDC, state, and city guidelines.  Please visit the utexasvets.org for updated calendar information.
• Our veteran community is vitally important to all of our students.  Continue to check in on each other and support each other, even as we practice social distancing.