Military & Veteran Affairs
Over the past two weeks, VA has worked with Congress to preserve GI Bill benefits for impacted students during this difficult time. The Senate and House passed S.3503 and the bill will be headed to POTUS to sign, which will give the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the authority to continue GI Bill payments uninterrupted in the event of national emergencies. The new law allows for VA to continue to pay benefits regardless of the fact that the program has changed from resident training to online training. Also, students will continue to receive the same monthly housing allowance payments that they received for resident training until January 1, 2021, or until the school resumes normal operations of resident training. VA is working to immediately implement the new changes to address current and future school terms to ensure students continue to receive their education benefits.
What should GI Bill Students know?
There is no action required from a GI Bill student. VA has scheduled several training sessions with all VA approved schools and training facilities over the next couple of days to provide further guidance. We will work closely with schools to ensure enrollments are accurately certified and processed timely. We are committed to providing regular updates to you through direct email campaigns and social media about VA’s effort to implement these new changes. If you have questions about your specific circumstance, please contact the Education Call Center at: 1-888-442-4551 between 8 AM and 7 PM Eastern Time, Monday-Friday.
Phone:
Mary McCaskey: 931-372-3503Luke Notman: 931-372-3070
Kylie Motichek: 931-372-3307
Email:
veterans@tntech.eduMailing Address:
Tennessee Tech UniversityOffice of Military & Veteran Affairs
Campus Box 5191
Cookeville, TN 38505
Street Address:
805 QuadrangleCookeville, TN 38505
Jere Whitson, 312
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday8am to 4:30pm CST
Mary McCaskey, M.Div.
Director of Financial Aid & Veteran Affairs
Mary McCaskey is the Director of Financial Aid & Veteran Affairs and the (VA) Certifying Official for Tennessee Tech. She works directly with students and the VA to ensure that each Veteran and Military family member maximizes their education benefit and that the university receives payment in a timely manner. Mary has been working directly with Military and Veteran students at Tennessee Tech since 2015 but has been working in support of military families as a civilian ancillary since 2008. She has a passion for serving those who have served and has made it a personal mission to ensure all Military and Veteran students are treated with compassion and respect. She has been recognized for her volunteer and philanthropic efforts by the 2nd Squadron 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, and the United States Army. Mary is also a recipient of Order of St. Joan D'Arc Medallion for her significant voluntary contributions to the Armor and Cavalry communities. In addition to her extensive volunteer efforts, she also served on the board of the PCCMP, an endorsement agency for chaplains and military personnel, for six years.
Please feel free to call, email or stop by if you have questions or concerns about the upcoming semester, have paperwork to turn in or if you are currently taking classes and need to discuss making changes that could affect your benefits.
We encourage you to explore our website; you will find commonly used forms, helpful
websites, and information about how to get involved with our Student Veteran Organization
here on campus. The Department of Military and Veteran Affairs strives to provide
the best support possible and is passionate about helping Veterans and their families.
If you are new to Tech we welcome you and wish you nothing but the best!
