MINOT, ND ( KXNET ) — For veterans in the Magic City looking to go to school using the education benefits they have earned, isn’t always easy.

Minot State University has many students who are currently serving but also many veteran students, as well.

So in 2011, they created the Military Resource Center, accommodating students from all branches and service components.

The center works with the Minot Air Force Base and the North Dakota National Guard as well as local groups like the DAV and the American Legion.

Together they help connect service members to the benefits they have earned.

Resource Director Andy Heitkamp says dealing with organizations to obtain these benefits can be overwhelming and complicated which is where they come in.

“Once you get out of the veterans affairs stuff, then if you get any of the education part of it, then you’re talking about higher education. So just trying to navigate all those bureaucracies and put those together basically is what they started the office to do,” said Heitkamp.

While the MSU Military Resource Center specifically works with people on education benefits and referrals for other veteran benefits, Heitkamp says that one of the biggest misconceptions is that only veterans are eligible for benefits.

“I had someone recently whose spouse was killed in an accident, so there are benefits that go with that, and then how do I do that? I’m not a service member and I don’t have the knowledge of any of those things, we help with those things as well,” said Heitkamp.

The MSU Military Resource Center is located in Model Hall in room 208. They’re open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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