COVID-19 Response Resources for Veteran Students

Today, Senior Assistant Dean of Veteran Student Initiatives, David Keefe, sent the following message to GS student veterans regarding resources and support available in response to the developing situation with COVID-19.

March 31, 2020
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Dear GS Student Veterans,

In response to COVID-19, we have put together some resources to help guide you through this challenging time. In addition to the COVID-19 response resources from General Studies and Columbia University, many of the resources listed are compiled from the US Department of Veteran Affairs’ guidance on COVID-19NYC Department of Veteran Services and NYC Veterans Alliance.

As we face this challenge, please remember to turn to your community. It is of utmost importance to stay connected. We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have during this unprecedented time. Please connect with your Advisor, [email protected], and Senior Assistant Dean David Keefe with any questions or concerns.


Veteran Education and VR&E Benefits

GI Bill Continuity - Congress passed legislation to make sure student veterans continue to receive educational benefits without interruption even if schools have moved to distance learning. Call the VA's GI Bill hotline at 1-888-442-4551 to resolve any issues or concerns you might have.

  • For GI Bill recipients, when their school shifts from in-person to online courses under certain circumstances, it can impact the students’ Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA). However, if the switch from in-person to online classes occurs during the term, and the program has been approved by the State Approving Agency (SAA) for delivery through an online modality, then benefit payments (including the MHA under the Post-9/11 GI Bill) will remain unchanged for the remainder of that term. We have received guidance that the MHA rate will not be impacted for the current term per our State Approving Agencies; therefore, your MHA should not be impacted.

 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits (VR&E):

  • It is VR&E’s policy to pay the in-residence rate for a term that includes a combination of in-residence and on-line training; therefore, your MHA should not be impacted. For additional information, please reach out to your VR&E counselor.

*As a reminder, changes to enrollment (i.e. dropped courses, withdrawals, leave of absences), can and will impact student veterans’ benefit payments per standard VA policies.

On March 21, 2020, S. 3503 was signed into law. This law provides the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the authority to continue to provide the same level of subsistence allowance for in-residence courses that have been converted to an on-line format.  This authority is active from March 1, 2020 and will end on December 21, 2020.  If the school resumes normal operations prior to December 21, 2020, standard rules for payment of subsistence allowance will resume.

Exclusions:  This authority does not apply to courses that are classified as on-line or distance learning.  These classes will continue to be paid based on rules for on-line or distance training.


Veterans Claims and Benefits

Free Benefits Counseling - New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs staff are working remotely, but you can still get help with filing a VA claim and free counseling from fellow veterans on VA and New York benefits and services for veterans. The intake phone center is currently down, but staff are ready to get in touch with you if you send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].


Health Resources
*All Columbia Health services have 
moved online.

If you are enrolled in VA Healthcare, call your nearest VA facility, log in to HealtheVet, or use VA telehealth to consult with a VA provider about your symptoms before you plan to visit a VA facility in person. Read through the online information to learn about VA Video Connect for telehealth services. For questions regarding this service, please call 866-651-3180 or 703-234-4483, Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. Eastern Time


Crisis and Emergency Contacts:

For emergencies, please call 911 or Columbia Public Safety at (212) 854-5555.

For after-hours mental health concerns, please contact CPS at (212) 854-2878.

For immediate psychiatric care, go directly to Mt. Sinai - St. Luke's Hospital Emergency Room at 113th Street and Amsterdam Avenue or call (212) 523-3347.


Veterans Crisis Line:

Call: 1-800-273-8255 then press 1

Chat: Click here to start a chat 

Text: any message to 838255

The GS Veterans Initiatives and Resources website includes a comprehensive list of veteran health and wellness resources, including the Veterans and Families Health and Wellness Resource Packet


Additional Mental Health Assistance

VA Vital - Anyone who would like to meet with a VA VITAL psychologist can do so via the VA Video Connect (VVC). Students can contact Dr Yvette Branson via phone at 1-646-772-6087 or email.

NYU Langone Steven A Cohen Military and Family Center - NYU Langone is actively responding to the spread of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). They have implemented changes that may affect some appointments and visits.

Headstrong - Headstrong is (virtually) open to treating current and new veteran clients during the COVID-19 emergency. Sign up online or contact Sam Dickinson, LCSW, Headstrong Counselor.

NYC Well - NYC's connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. Provides peer support and short-term counseling via telephone, text and web; referrals and warm transfer to other services; follow-up to check that you have connected to care and it is working for you. Call 1-888-692-9355.

Talkspace - This is a paid service, but is a robust online platform that connects you to a therapist for as long as you choose. Currently offering 7-day free trial, and a discount for veterans. Therapists with a competency in serving military and veterans will indicate so in their profile.


Wellness Resources

General Studies Undergraduate Student Veteran Mentors - Anyone who would like to connect with a veteran peer-to-peer network please reach out to the GS Veteran Mentors.


U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University (official student group)

MilVets provides military veterans with resources, opportunities, and support at Columbia University. Website: milvets.columbia.edu Email: [email protected]


Columbia University Family Support Network - For additional information contact the GS Student Life Office

Stay Cyber safe - As coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have risen across the state there has also been a considerable surge in scams related to the pandemic. Malicious actors are using this crisis as an opportunity to steal money and personal information as well as install malware onto computers. The scams are being instigated through fake websites, phishing emails, and phone and text messages. The New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) recently issued a series of precautions that veterans and others can take to protect themselves.


Financial Assistance

Coronavirus and Financial Health Assistance - If you are concerned about the effect of the Coronavirus on your personal finances, career, and/or education? Here is a comprehensive guide with answers, tips, and advice for staying financially well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PenFed Foundation - PenFed is providing emergency cash assistance to qualifying veterans and military members. 

VFW Unmet Needs Grants - The VFW offers emergency cash assistance to qualifying veterans, military members, and families. 

NYC Cash Assistance - NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) has a program to assist with immediate cash needs. 


Housing Assistance

Additional information about Columbia Housing and off-campus Housing: Navigating NYC Housing for General Studies Veterans Packet

Visit NYC Veterans Alliance Affordable Apartment Primer for a comprehensive listing of what we know about solutions for affordable housing. If you have a tough-to-solve situation, you can also reach out to NYC Veterans Alliance by calling 929-265-4549


Families with K-12 Children

Grab & Go Meals - In NYC, any K-12 students can pick up breakfast, lunch, and afterschool meals at any NYC school facility. 

Free Spectrum WiFi - Spectrum/Charter is offering 60 days of free WiFi for households with K-12 and college students who aren't current customers. 

Remote Learning Devices - NYC Schools is lending digital learning devices to enable all K-12 students to learn at home.


Food/Grocery Assistance

CU food Pantry - The Food Pantry at Columbia is consolidating all non-perishable food to one central location. Starting Friday, March 27th, and occurring every Tuesday and Friday from 3 - 6pm, those in need can come to the temporary location in JJ’s Place, in the lower level of John Jay Hall. Because of space constraints, and to ensure we adhere to social distancing guidelines, they will only be able to support one volunteer per hour. For those who are near the CUIMC campus, please note that they are working to get an alternative space within that campus as soon as possible.

FoodHelp.NYC - Apply for food assistance benefits and view a map of food pantries and community kitchen. Or call 866-888-8777 or 311 for information on locations and hours to get immediate help with food in NYC.

Invisible Hands - If you need grocery delivery--whether you can pay for it or not--you can place a request for delivery from an all-volunteer startup in NYC.

God's Love We Deliver - Apply for you or your loved one to receive meal delivery from a nonprofit serving individuals living with chronic illnesses or disabilities. 


Employment Assistance

NYC Workforce1 Career Centers - Offices are closed, but services are being offered remotely. If you need a job in NYC, apply online

NYC Veterans Alliance Suggestions: If you've been laid off from a job in services that have been closed down--you may be able to find work with services that are now in high demand. Take a look at open positions at FreshDirectConEdisionAmazonWhole Foods.

Columbia Center for Career Education


Leaving for Duty

Any student who is a member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and is called or ordered to active duty will be granted a military leave of absence for the period of active duty and for one year thereafter. Upon return from military leave of absence, the student will be restored to the educational status attained prior to being called or ordered to such duty without loss of academic credits earned, scholarships or grants awarded, or tuition or other fees paid prior to the commencement of active duty. The University will credit any tuition or fees paid for the period of the military leave of absence to the next enrollment period or will refund the tuition and fees paid to the student, at the student's option. Students in need of a military leave of absence should contact their Advisor.

**If students are called to active duty and wish to remain enrolled in remote learning, it is up to them. Students should immediately email their advisor, professors, and school administrator to notify them of the situation and discuss various options.


Ways to Help Others

Food Pantry at Columbia Volunteer here. There will be a member of The Food Pantry at Columbia executive team on site to help and train any new volunteers. Additionally, to make it fair for all, volunteers will only be able to staff the pantry for one hour at a time. Here is the sign-up sheet for those who would like to volunteer. Please note that, for confidentiality reasons, only current volunteers are set up on this sheet. If you would like to volunteer, please complete the Confidentiality Agreement.

Donate Blood - Blood reserves are critically low right now. If you can, consider donating now. 

Volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps - New Yorkers certified in healthcare are asked to volunteer their services if available. 

Team Rubicon - Sign up to volunteer in your local community during COVID-19 with Team Rubicon USA.

Invisible Hands - Volunteer for a NYC startup that's coordinating home deliveries for New Yorkers in need.

Help Main Street - Purchase gift cards from your favorite local businesses to keep the cash flowing to them.

Relief Funds for NYC Restaurant Workers - Contribute to relief funds for local businesses that are shut down.

Your NYC Council (or Local Elected) Office - Contact your elected officials to ask if there are safe volunteer opportunities or ways to donate goods in your neighborhood.


Ways to Stay Connected

OurVeterans.NYC – NYC Veterans Alliance has pivoted from listing in-person events to listing as many digital events as possible that are relevant to the NYC Metro area veterans community. Please connect with the many veteran-serving and civic organizations who want to connect with you! Have an event? Send it to [email protected].


Enjoy NYC's Culture Online

NYC is amazing, and many cultural institutions are offering programming free online. Just a few to get you started: 92nd St YNew York Public LibraryMetropolitan OperaBroadway shows.


Columbia University

Columbia University up-to-date information regarding CU resources and response to COVID19.


School of General Studies

For more information regarding General Studies, please visit GS resources and response to COVID19 *Make sure to contact your Advisor, Senior Assistant Dean David Keefe, and the GS Veterans Educational Financing Team with all questions and/or concerns.


University Life

University Life information regarding resources and response to COVID19.


U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs News

For up-to-date VA NEWS please subscribe to their Newsletter.


NYC Veterans Alliance

For immediate assistance and up-to-date information regarding off campus resources for veterans, go to NYC Veterans Alliance.


Planning for the Future

Making a Household Plan - Take the time to make a plan for your household to not only contend with the current situation, but for future potential escalation of circumstances. Make a plan for the possibility of you or your household members to seek emergency medical care. Make a plan for how your household, including your pets, will be managed if emergency medical care is needed. Check in with neighbors and make a list of your emergency contacts. Put all of your significant personal documents and records in one place in case they are needed in a hurry. See Ready NY and New Jersey response to COVID19 for more information.


Additional Resources and Information 

Please refer to the GS website for additional veterans resources, initiatives, and information.
https://gs.columbia.edu/content/veterans-resources-and-initiatives 


David Keefe
Senior Assistant Dean of Veteran Student Initiatives
School of General Studies | Columbia University
Office: 212-854-2881
GS Veteran Initiatives

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