VRO

Principles of Excellence

Executive Order 13607 and DOD MOU

The Principles of Excellence were announced on April 27, 2012, by President Obama in Executive Order 13607 to ensure that student veterans, service members, and family members have information, support, and protections while using federal education benefits. Department of Defense (DOD) policy requires schools that receive federal funding through tuition assistance programs, such as the GI Bill®, to follow these guidelines. Participating institutions must have a signed DOD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) conveying these commitments and agreements with the DOD.

Utah State University has signed the requested intent to comply memo regarding Executive Order 13607 and submitted it to Department of Veterans Affairs. USU has also signed a DOD MOU regarding the Voluntary Education Partnership.

Guidelines

USU is proud to uphold the Principles of Excellence required by the DOD Voluntary Education Partnership as follows:

  1. Prior to enrollment, provide students a personalized form covering the total cost of an educational program (i.e., program costs, student debt estimates, and federal financial aid options) upfront. The Veterans Resource Office (VRO), with support from the Financial Aid Office, will create a shopping sheet that addresses costs and funding options.
  2. Provide educational plans for all military and veteran education beneficiaries. Academic advisors will work with the VRO, Registrar’s Office, and the Degree Works software to develop a complete educational plan for their goals.
  3. End fraudulent and aggressive recruiting techniques and misrepresentation. USU does not support or condone fraudulent and aggressive recruiting practices regarding any students. The university will continue to uphold our high recruiting standard.
  4. Provide accommodations for service members and reservists absent due to service requirements. The university understands the pressures of deployment and have developed accommodations for individual deployment.
  5. Designate a point of contact for academic and financial advising. USU has established the Veterans Resource Office to be the one-stop center for veteran and service member needs. The VRO will work with students to contact their academic and financial aid advisors and any additional offices to assist students with their educational goals.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at benefits.va.gov/gibill.