University of Bridgeport’s Veterans Oasis has been officially approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs and will be serving veteran students in an exciting new way through a work-study program.
Open since Fall 2021, the Veterans Oasis in Mandeville Hall is a relaxing and safe place that includes a conference area for events and speakers, a lounge with comfortable places to sit, a kitchen for meals, and three private study rooms, including one designated for counseling. It serves as a place to unwind, mingle, and study, as well as a place for veterans and currently serving military members to receive support and resources. And now it is a place for employment through the Department of Veterans Affairs Work Study Allowance program.
Being recognized by the VA is a big deal,” says Yvrose Romulus, UB’s Director of Strategic Programs. “It is exciting because our veterans see that we are working on their behalf, moving toward the creation of a more supportive environment and bringing financial assistance to them.”
Because UB has been officially approved, VA students are eligible for a work-study job at UB’s Veterans Oasis under the following education programs:
- Title 38, U.S.C., Chapter 30: The Montgomery GI Bill
- Title 38, U.S.C., Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment
- Title 38, U.S.C., Chapter 32: The Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program
- Title 38, U.S.C., Chapter 33: The Post-9/11 GI Bill/Fry Scholarship
- Title 38, U.S.C., Chapter 35: Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program
- Title 10, U.S.C., Chapter 1606: The Montgomery GI Bill — Selected Reserve
- Edith N. Rogers STEM Scholarship
Students must also be enrolled in and pursuing approved college degree, vocational, or professional programs of education at a rate of 3/4 time or greater.
The Department of Veteran Affairs will pay three veteran UB students for up to a total of 1,300 hours per year. As Veterans Oasis Monitors, each student will provide support to other student veterans through the management and administration of the Oasis. Along with supervising daily activities, these monitors will plan events, prepare records and reports, troubleshoot requests, prepare communications, and maintain active communications with other student veterans.
“We are always looking for different services for veterans and serving military students. Now they will have more of a presence here, and we will have more of a presence in the community,” says Romulus.
Learn more about UB Veterans Oasis.
The Oasis is just one way that University of Bridgeport supports veterans and their families. Veterans who wish to apply their VA Educational Benefits to UB can apply online at www.ebenefits.va.gov, select “Apply for Education Benefits,” and follow the prompts to the Education Benefits Form. Those applying as veterans should complete Form 22-1990, while dependents use Form 22-5490 to receive a Certificate of Eligibility. After processing, veterans can submit their Certificate of Eligibility and Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) to UB’s VA Certifying Official, Alessandra Castagnetto. She can be reached at 203-576-4695 or acastagn@bridgeport.edu. You can also contact the Dean of Students, Craig Lennon, at 203-576-4392 or deanofstudents@bridgeport.edu.