The University of Alabama offers a range of health care resources for veteran, military, and dependent students, including access to TRICARE, CHAMPVA, and VA health services. On-campus support includes the VITAL and VetSuccess on Campus programs, free enrollment assistance, and a VA health clinic located at Capital Hall. This page outlines how to access care, verify enrollment, and connect with available benefits and services.
Crisis
The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, 24-hour suicide hotline that any veteran can call to get connected with a real, qualified person that can help in the event of a crisis.
You can dial 988 then press 1 to speak with someone on the crisis line.
Health Insurance
The University of Alabama Student Health Center accepts TRICARE Standard (not Prime). As a dependent student you can stay on CHAMPVA or TRICARE while you attend the Capstone.
In order to provide Proof of Enrollment to any health care provider the student must do the following:
- Sign Into myBama
- Click the Student Tab
- On the left hand side under “Banner Self Service” Click the folder “Student Records”
- Click “Order Current Enrollment Verification”
- The student can print or save this document
There is no charge for this document and can be faxed to any health care provider.
Veteran students need to be enrolled at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center in order provide free healthcare.
Facilitation of enrollment and appointments is provided on campus by the VITAL Coordinator.
Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL)
The Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) initiative is a Veterans Health Administration program hosted by the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center that strives to provide quality health care services to the veteran and military community at The University of Alabama. Services include:
- Seamless access to VA healthcare services which includes on-campus counseling by a licensed clinical provider
- Efficient coordination of all available services through VHA, VBA, Vet Center, campus and community resources
- Provides education and training events that promote a positive cohesion between veterans and the entire learning community
In addition, VITAL’s mission is built on persistence and retention principles. Principles such as adjusting to academic demands, building new social supports, and developing education goals are critical to veterans success in higher education.
Contact
John “Chris” Burton, LMSW
Telephone: (205) 554-2000 ext. 3825
FAX: (205) 507-5281
Vet Success on Campus (VSOC)
All student Veterans, Active Duty, and Dependents attending The University of Alabama (UA) can access the Department of Veterans Affairs through a full time VA Counselor Coordinator.
Vet Success on Campus is a program through the Veterans Benefits Administration that places an experienced Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor directly on campus to provide assistance & support to veteran students and their eligible family members. This counselor will serve as a “one-stop liaison” for Veterans on campus. The Capstone is only one of twenty-two campuses in the nation to have an on-campus counselor from the VA.
Vet Success on Campus Counselor can assist you with:
- Information on VA benefits such as life insurance, Home Loan Guarantee, Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment, Post 9I 11 GI Bill benefits, and other education benefits (Chapters 30, 32 & 35)
- Guidance and support while using your VA educational benefits
- Vocational exploration and assistance in selecting a suitable career
- Electing your healthcare benefits with Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA)
- Information and referrals to VA Medical Centers and local Vet Center
- Information on submitting a claim for disability compensation
- Employment information and assistance
- Locating community and other resources
Dedicated phone line for GI Bill beneficiaries who are a surviving spouse or child of an active duty service member who died in the line of duty and need assistance with their education benefits.
A child or surviving spouse can contact The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 and select Option 5. A highly trained agent with specialized training in survivor benefits will be ready to assist the caller with their education benefits or survivor related resources. Agents will be available Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.
Clinic
In partnership with the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a VA satellite clinic is located at Capital Hall on the UA Campus. The clinic offers support to UA faculty, staff and students who are veterans and eligible for VA health care. The VMA Health Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for healthcare appointments. Medical staff from the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center see patients for regular check-ups.
Capital Hall can be found at 270 Kilgore Lane on The University of Alabama’s campus. Sign up to use the campus VMA health clinic by phone at 205-348-2381 or by email at vmahealthclinic@ua.edu. To make an appointment with the VA Health Clinic off campus, call 205-554-4683.