A golden eagle statue greets students to the The Captain Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services. Photo by The Signal reporter Jennifer Martinez.

BRIEF: VSO holds certification fest for students taking summer classes

By Jenna Schaub On Apr 26, 2021 132 0

Capt. Wendall M. Wilson Officer of Veteran Services is hosting a summer certification fest for returning veteran students, April 19-23, and April 26-30.

There is a list of steps to read before scheduling an appointment for the summer certification fest.

Appointments are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Steps students must take include:

One must call the veteran services office at 281-283-3071 to set up an appointment.
15-minute in-person, phone, or Zoom appointments will be available.
Students using multiple benefits must schedule a 30-minute appointment.
One must have all required documents at the time of your appointment.
Failure to have all of one’s documents will result in one not being certified.
If there are any issues with one’s paperwork or courses, please know one will be placed in the queue. Once all issues are resolved, one’s certification will be processed.

“We are offering certification priority for students who are continuing in the next semester,” said Ingrid Ebbers, assistant director for veteran services.

Lakeshia Villegas, the coordinator for veteran services will process Hazlewood Veteran, Hazlewood Dependent and Spouse, Hazlewood Legacy, and Chapters 30, 35, and 1606. Villegas is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The importance of certification fest is to assist military-connected students,” Villegas said. “We want to make sure that all students are taken care of. Since certification fest is through in-person, phone or Zoom, it is a way for us to connect with our students.”

Ebbers will process Chapters 31 and Chapter 33. Ebbers is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“During CertFest, we will review the student’s courses to ensure that the courses will be covered by the United Department of Veteran Affairs or the Hazlewood Act and the student can leave the office knowing that their benefits were processed,” Ebbers said.

The student will know if there are any issues with certification in the allotted appointment time.

“If there are any issues with getting them certified, they would know right then and there and what issues they need to resolve in order to get that certification processed,” Ebbers said.

It is important to note that this certification fest is not for Fall 2021 courses. VSO will hold a separate certification fest in July to process fall benefits.

Certification fest will take place in the Veteran Services Office, SSCB 3.201.