Veterans Day is a time to honor all Americans who have fought for our country, to thank those who currently serve, and to think about the price we must pay for our freedom. Ever since our nation’s founding, our democracy has depended on the same essential quality: the willingness of patriots to risk their lives for something bigger than themselves.

In honor of this occasion, this blog is listing information on resources for veterans across our state who is seeking resources for employment, services, and educational assistance.

State Resource

South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce

http://dew.sc.gov/jobs-content-veterans.asp

 

Employment Help

Employer Support of Guard and Reserve:

Guardsmen and Reservists have the right to return to their civilian jobs following their return from service. Those who think they have been treated unfairly by their employers should contact.

Link: http://www.esgr.org

Phone: 1-800-336-4590

 

REALifelines:

This is a joint project of the U.S. Department of Labor, the Bethesda Naval Medical Hospital and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Link: www.dol.gov/vets/programs/real-life/main.htm

 

Career Command Post:

CCP specializes in bringing transitioning active duty military personnel and armed forces veterans together with civilian employers hiring for executive, managerial, professional, technical, skilled and semi-skilled positions, from the Military

Link: http://www.quintcareers.com/former_military.html

 

Veteran Enterprise

The leading site in employment listings for veterans

http://www.veteransenterprise.com/careers.html

 

Vet Biz:

Learn more about starting your own business

Link: http://www.vetbiz.gov/

 

Patriot Express:

SBA launches loan program to help veterans start businesses

Link: www.sba.gov/patriotexpress

 

Vet Jobs:

Great resource for veterans and employers

Link: www.vetjobs.com

 

Recruit Military:

Excellent source for help in finding jobs in corporate America

Link: http://www.recruitmilitary.com/

 

HireVetsFirst:

Free job search engine, help with resume

Link: http://www.hirevetsfirst.gov/

 

Veteran Employment:

This website paired up with monster.com and allows you to search for jobs including jobs with security clearance

Link: www.veteranemployment.com

 

Military OneSource:

Link: www.militaryonesource.com

 

Hire Veterans:

Provides resume posting and several employment opportunities

Link: http://www.hireveterans.com/

 

Helmets to Hardhats:

Started in 2003, this organization helps place military service members in construction field careers.

Link: www.helmetstohardhats.org/

 

Hire a Hero:

Link: www.hireahero.com

 

Federal jobs search engine:

This website allows you to search all available federal jobs throughout the world

Link: www.usajobs.gov

 

Veteran Employment Information:

Link: www.opm.gov/veterans

 

Scholarships and Awards for Veterans

 

AFCEA Educational Fund

The AFCEA War Veterans Scholarships are offered to active-duty and honorably discharged U.S. military veterans (to include Reservists and National Guard personnel) of the Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) or Iraqi Freedom Operations. Candidates must be currently enrolled and attending either a two-year or four-year accredited college or university in the United States. Candidates must be majoring in the following or related fields: electrical, aerospace, systems or computer engineering; computer engineering technology; computer information systems; information systems management; computer science; physics; mathematics; or science or mathematics education. Each scholarship award is $2,500.

Link: http://www.afcea.org/education/scholarships/undergraduate/veteran.asp

 

AMVETS Scholarships

AMVETS annually awards scholarships to veterans/active military, their sons, daughters or grandchildren. A son, daughter or grandchild of a deceased veteran is also eligible. Awarded on the basis of academic excellence and financial need, the scholarships go to deserving high school seniors, high school JROTC students and veterans pursuing a higher education.

Link: http://www.amvets.org/programs/programs_scholarships.html

 

Colonel Christie Marine Corps Scholarship

The Christie Memorial College Assistance Award is given to a former enlisted Marine leaving the Marine Corps to attend a four-year institution. This award recognizes a Marine who has demonstrated exceptional courage and integrity in the face of great obstacles. Award will be given as a monthly stipend.

Link: http://www.christiememorial.org/main.html

 

Fund for Veterans Education

The Fund for Veterans' Education will provide scholarships to help meet the cost associated with higher education for veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan or Iraq since September 11, 2001 and who are now enrolled in college or vocational-technical school.

Link: http://www.veteransfund.org/index.html

 

Heroes at Home Women Veterans’ Scholarships

Royal Neighbors of America has a more than 100-year history of supporting women and those they care about. Now, the RNA Foundation is announcing our Heroes at Home Women Veterans' Scholarship Program. Our goal is to help our female veterans give back to their communities by reaching their education goals, making them stronger community leaders as a result.

Link: http://www.royalneighbors.org

 

Horatio Alger Scholarship

The Horatio Alger Association seeks to assist students who have demonstrated integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength of character, financial need, a good academic record, commitment to pursue a college education, and a desire to contribute to society. The Military Scholar Program will assist those who honorably served during the OEF/OIF conflict.

Link: https://www.horatioalger.com/scholarships_military/index.cfm

 

Troops to Teachers

The Troops to Teachers (TTT) program enriches the quality of American education by helping to place mature, motivated, experienced, and dedicated personnel in our nation’s classrooms. .

Link: http://www.ProudToServeAgain.com

 

VA MortgageCenter.com Scholarship

Mortgage Center.com is proud to now offer five bi-yearly $1,500 scholarships in conjunction with our Military Education Scholarship Program. The process and purpose is simple - many college students currently struggle to meet the financial requirements of pursuing their education, even with the help of financial aid and other scholarship programs. Our scholarships are awarded each year in May and November.

Link: http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/scholarships.html

 

VFW Military Scholarships

The VFW's Military Scholarship program provides 25 $3,000 scholarships annually to VFW members who are currently serving in uniform or have been discharged within the 36 months before the December 31 deadline.

Link: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.leveld&did=3561

 

SVA Scholarship Directory

Student Veterans of America’s website will be regularly updated with additional scholarships.

Link: http://www.studentveterans.org/resourcelibrary/scholarships.php

 

VA Education

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30):

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of educational benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

Link: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/Info/Text/Active/Active_Menu.htm

 

Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Act of 2008 [New GI Bill] (Chapter 33):

The Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Act of 2008 program provides up to 36 months of educational benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency,and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. Based on your length of active duty service, you’re entitled to a percentage of the following:

- Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education (paid to school);

- Monthly housing allowance* equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military

E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school (paid to you);

- Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year (paid to you); and -A onetime payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.

Link: http://www.gibill.va.gov/

 

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606):

The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air NationalGuard. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, andrefresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Link: http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH1606/CH1606_Pamphlet_General.htm

 

Reserve Educational Assistance Program [REAP] (Chapter 1607):

REAP (Chapter 1607 of title 10, U.S. Code) is a new education program that provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserves, Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), and National Guard, who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress.

Link: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#MGIBSR

 

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP):

Chapter 32, VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Post Vietnam Educational Assistance.

Link: http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH32/CH32_Pamphlet_General.htm

 

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35):

Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.

Link: http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH35/CH35_Pamphlet_General.htm

 

 

Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31):

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. The mission of VR&E is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. Also, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service provide vocational-educational counseling to veterans and certain dependents. VR&E can provide a wide range of vocational and educationalcounseling services to service members still on active duty, as well as veterans and dependents who are eligible for one of VA's educational benefit programs.

Link: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/vrs.htm