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Student Veteran Affairs

Resource Center for Student Veterans & Military-Connected Students

Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) is committed to helping veteran, active-duty, guard and reserve personnel achieve their education goals and maximize military education benefits. When transitioning into graduate student life, veterans may feel limited in their academic options due to family, career or other location obstacles that may restrict them from attending courses on campus.

As CGI is a 100% online institution, our Resource Center for Student Veterans & Military Connected Students is an online space CGI created on the cgi.edu website to host any veteran supportive information and needs. In addition to CGI’s online resource center, CGI has dedicated shared space in its new facility that veteran students are welcome to use if they need to have a space in an in-person office setting. But as 100% of CGI students are online and a majority are located outside of Arizona, CGI created the online resource center for Veterans to be inclusive of our in-state and out of state students.

When transitioning into graduate student life, veterans may feel limited in their academic options due to family, career or other location obstacles that may restrict them from attending courses on campus. This is where CGI can help. Those who need a more flexible schedule to complete their education can find here at CGI.

CGI strives to provide online students with the same resources as their on-campus peers. Students enrolled in CGI online courses should expect to have access to resources such as writing support, academic advising, counseling and veteran-specific resources.

Financial Aid and Assistance for Student Veterans & Military-Connected Students

Financial Aid and Assistance for Student Veterans & Military-Connected Students

Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) is committed to helping veteran, active-duty, guard and reserve personnel achieve their education goals and maximize military education benefits. Our goal is to make education as affordable possible for all of our students. We take pride in offering tuition discounts and waived degree and non-degree seeking admissions application fees to veteran and military-connected students. With no out-of-state tuition, no hidden fees, and flexible payment options, our competitive tuition has nothing to hide.

As of December 31, 2022 CGI is no longer able to accept or authorize to certify VA Benefits. This change is because of a new federal law implemented on August 1, 2021 that requires schools to participate in Title IV. CGI is not eligible to accept Title IV funding at this time.

Student Veteran Outside Support Services

Student Veterans of America

Through their robust website, the Student Veterans of America not only supports on campus students, but also those going to school online. From their active social media presence to a myriad of online opportunities, they support all student veterans regardless of the attendance venue.

Vet Center Program

Coming back from a deployment is never easy and it becomes difficult if the veteran decides to enroll in school right away. One of the services offered is readjustment counseling for those returning from a qualifying combat zone, along with their family members. Other services include bereavement counseling, sexual trauma counseling and a Veteran Hotline. The Vet Centers are community centric and located away from VA facilities for confidentiality purposes.

Veterans on Campus: Support Training

Through their robust website, the Student Veterans of America not only support their on campus students, but also those going to school online. From their active social media presence to a myriad of online opportunities, they support all student veterans regardless of the attendance venue.

Military to College Transition Resources

Transitioning back to a civilian life is hard enough for many veterans but going to school online at the same time can compound the issues they face. But through an online program called half of us, they can get support if they are feeling angry or at a loss of what to do. Part of the site is videos of students like them that have faced the same issues and have overcome them. Students who need to talk to someone right away can call 1-800-273-talk (8255).

Veteran Support Hotlines

Sometimes veterans may need to talk to someone right away about issues they may be currently having; sometimes it can be a matter of life or death. Fortunately, there are people—other veterans—that stand ready to help. Vets 4 Warriors is one of those organizations. To contact them call (1-855-838-8255), or text or chat live online.

Health & Wellness for Student Veterans & Military- Connected Students

CGI Disability Support Services

CGI is dedicated to serving degree seeking and non-degree students with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations for everyone to be successful in furthering their education at this institution. Students with disabilities are encouraged to disclose and submit a Disability Notification and Accommodation Form at least/minimum of two (2) weeks before the start date of classes or immediately after diagnosis.

About the Disability Accommodation Process

The Director of the DBH Program reviews all requests for accommodations and may require documentation of disability to determine whether the disability identified falls under the protection of the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Director of the DBH Program makes reasonable accommodations that can be made without fundamentally altering the essential nature of the DBH academic program requirements and if the student can be successful in our program. The Director of the DBH Program notifies the student in writing of the accommodation request status including approved accommodations for educational purposes. Appropriate faculty and select Institute staff members with an educational need to know will also be informed of any approved accommodations.

A student may choose to attempt a class without accommodations and to self-identify later in the process. However, if the student opts for this approach, any grades that have been earned without the use of accommodations remain as published.

Disability records are kept confidential and separate from academic records.

In addition, registration with Disability Services may take place at any point during the term. Once the student has provided the appropriate documentation, the accommodations can be instituted.

The Cummings Graduate Institute does not discriminate based on disability. Cummings Graduate Institute is committed to compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and all other applicable laws prohibiting disability discrimination.

MyHealtheVet

One of the most important ways to access VA health care is My HealtheVet, the no-cost, online Personal Health Record that empowers Veterans to become informed partners in their health care. With My HealtheVet, America’s Veterans can access trusted, secure, and current health and benefits information as well as record, track and store important health and military history information at their convenience. https://www.myhealth.va.gov/

VetSuccess on Campus

VetSuccess on Campus for short, this branch of the Department of Veteran Affairs strives to help veterans make the transition to the college world whether going to school on or off campus. VSOC Counselors stand ready to make sure veterans have what they need to be successful at reaching their education and employment goals. All listed on this web page have their email listed, so even online-only students can contact them.

Suicide Prevention Hotline

Suicide Prevention Hotline – Help is available for student veterans in crisis. They can call anytime of the day or night for help at 1-800-273-8255 or make contact through the live chat.

Military Onesource

Military Onesource is a one-stop shop that is beneficial to online students. They have eight different categories dealing with veterans and their families from health and wellness, to relationships and education and employment to name three of the ones more applicable to the online student. Plus, they have nine different categories in their quick access list. A valuable resource for any veteran student regardless of venue. And for student veterans needing confidential help, they have an access point for that too.

For more information on student veteran and military-connected student services, please email veterans@cgi.edu.

8 Keys to Veterans’ Success

Cummings Graduate Institute is proud to be a signatory to the 8 Keys of Veterans’ Success through the Department of Education. Cummings Graduate Institute is committed to implement the promising practices outlined in the 8 Keys, as follows:

  1. Create a culture of trust and connectedness across the campus community to promote well-being and success.
  2. Ensure consistent and sustained support from campus leadership.
  3. Implement an early alert system to ensure all veterans receive academic, career, and financial advice before challenges become overwhelming.
  4. Coordinate and centralize campus efforts for all veterans, together with the creation of a designated space for them (even if limited in size).
  5. Collaborate with local communities and organizations, including government agencies, to align and coordinate various services for veterans.
  6. Utilize a uniform set of data tools to collect and track information, including demographics, retention, and degree completion.
  7. Provide comprehensive professional development for faculty and staff on issues and challenges unique to veterans.
  8. Develop systems that ensure sustainability of effective practices for veterans.

Testimonials

“As a member of the AAPI community, I’m very familiar with the barriers to mental health services and the need to break through the glass wall of cultural stigma that prevents many from receiving potentially life–saving treatment. I was the only Asian American person in my master’s cohort, the only Asian American person in many of my clinical work settings, the only Asian American person to walk into many of the professional settings that I pushed myself to show up to. In my current practice, I’m constantly reminded by my patients of how difficult it is to find an Asian American mental health provider, though this reminder constantly informs me that more needs to be done for my community. Day after day, I read stories of Asian American people who die by suicide as a consequence of our culture’s avoidance of mental health topics. As a DBH, my biggest goal is to use my expertise in whole–person care to amplify the conversation around mental health and help my community understand that mental healthcare is not a privilege that we are not entitled to, it is a crucial part of our healthcare that will manifest differently in us than what many Western psychology or psychiatry textbooks will describe, and that our unique experience of mental health issues are valid, important, and is time to be part of the larger conversation.”

Willam Chum, LMHCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 16, 2022

“The Doctor in Behavioral Health (DBH) program has changed my understanding of the subject and career path. Before this academic journey, my knowledge of behavioral health was primarily theoretical, including essential ideas and methods. However, the DBH curriculum combined intense academic research with practical application, helping me understand behavioral health from multiple angles. Recognizing mental health as part of total health changed my perspective. The biopsychosocial model, which showed how biological, psychological, and social variables affect mental health, was stressed in the DBH curriculum. This comprehensive approach made me realize how complex human behavior is and how important it is to address mental health issues. Effective interventions must target the individual’s surroundings, relationships, and life experiences, not just symptoms. The curriculum also gave me enhanced evidence-based practice training to execute successful solutions. Studies methods and data analysis classes improved my critical thinking and allowed me to evaluate and apply behavioral health studies. This gave me the confidence to contribute to the field’s knowledge base through practice and research.”

Dr. Rhea Hill, DBH, LPCDBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 17, 2025

“This program will change how you present to the world, not just as a professional but as an individual. Understand this is work but the work is worth it and the journey is undeniably transformative. If you are seeking a doctorate for the title, this is not the program for you. If you are seeking a doctorate to interrupt and disrupt the course of healthcare, then this is the program for you. You won’t find a more supportive program with professors who are dedicated to your success and your education. This program is not about the regurgitation of information. It is about the appropriate applied application of knowledge and information to push forward and become an advocate for equitable and quality care for all.”

Brandy K. Biglow LMHC, CCTP, QSDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 5, 2024

“The Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program has definitely transformed my understanding of behavioral health. Understanding the links between physical and mental health has taught how to make better treatment decisions. The DBH program has also given me insights that otherwise would not be possible and allows me to view individuals through a lens that I was previously ignorant of. This program has helped me grow into a more confident individual, provider, and parent.”

Cory H. Cannady, BCBA, LBADBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 13, 2024

“The DBH program has reinforced my vision of viewing behavioral health (BH) as an integrated component of the healthcare system rather than a siloed service. As a practitioner in the focused BH realm of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, I observe on a regular basis how identifying and serving SUD patients is often missed, ignored and stigmatized in primary healthcare, despite the fact that early intervention at these check-points often has the potential to intervene earlier and lessen the negative SUD outcomes frequently seen by the time a patient reaches specialty SUD services. Reinforcement received in my DBH program has motivated me to promote integration as a leader in my workplace and is a primary factor in considering the long-term trajectory of my individual career path.”

Kenneth L. Roberts, MPS, LPCC, LADCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - November 5, 2024

“Graduating from the DBH program has influenced and enhanced my approach to addressing behavioral health challenges and making a difference in the field by preparing me to become a serious business owner. Through the DBH program, I understand now that becoming a business owner not only assists me in reaping the financial benefits of working for myself, but the program also offers me a sense of freedom to make a difference in an individual’s life.”

Dr. Rebecca K. Wright, DBH, LBA, BCBA, QBADBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - December 18, 2024

“I have always wanted to pursue a higher degree but never found a program that met my needs. When I investigated the DBH program, I can honestly say I was excited. It was a program that would expand my knowledge in behavioral health but also how it relates to physical health. The philosophy of treating the whole person was exactly what I was looking for.”

Elizabeth Nekoloff, M.Ed., LPCC-S, NCCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 16, 2025

“Prior to obtaining my DBH, I practiced behavioral health within the boundaries of behavior analysis. The DBH degree has given me the ability to broaden my scope of competence allowing me to provide a higher quality of care to my clients through a person-centered approach, while still staying within my scope of practice. I was in the beginning stages of opening my business when I enrolled in the DBH program which set my trajectory towards being a stronger leader. The program equipped me with essential healthcare leadership and entrepreneurial skills, allowing me to ensure high-quality services for my clients and foster a supportive work environment for our staff. It has also given me the confidence to expand my business and pursue other healthcare ventures, reaching a broader range of patients in need.”

Dr. Pauline Tolentino Pablo, DBH, BCBA, IBADBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 21, 2025

“Although I have worked with many patients who have mental health diagnoses, or behaviors which make managing their medical diagnoses and day to day life difficult, the DBH program at CGI is broadening that knowledge and providing a deeper understanding of behavioral health and how best to help these individuals manage their health and improve their quality of life. This will allow me to provide and advocate for more meaningful and seamless integrated care, providing new tools for my intervention toolbox, and the confidence and skills to collaborate within and lead whole person focused interdisciplinary teams. I also anticipate building upon my knowledge as a nurse case manager and long time caregiver, as well as my personal passions and professional vision, learning about processes and operations, to be in position to start up and lead my own company one day, offering the services and care I know every person should have access to.”

Hollie Wilson, MSN, RN, CCMDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 11, 2025

“The DBH program will open opportunities for me to contribute to healthcare system innovation, particularly through trauma-informed care and integrated behavioral health settings. I will be better positioned to advocate for and implement holistic care models that improve health outcomes for underserved populations. Ultimately, this program will help me transition into higher-level roles, such as a director or consultant in behavioral health, where I can influence broader system changes and contribute to the future of healthcare delivery.”

DeKyn Rashad Peters, MPH-CHES,BSW/BA,APCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 4, 2025

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