Ohio Military Veteran Educators Program Recruiting Initiative

Military Recruit Award

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) is partnering with the Ohio Department of Veterans Services to introduce the Military Recruit award, which supports public school districts, community schools, independent STEM schools, and joint vocational school districts in their efforts to recruit eligible military individuals, as defined in section 3319.285 of the Revised Code, for employment in public schools. This program acknowledges the valuable skills and experiences military personnel bring to the field of education and provides financial incentives to attract and retain these individuals to work in public schools.

joint logo for DEW and the Department of Veteran Services

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will offer financial reimbursements for districts or schools that provide a hiring bonus to military individuals who remain employed with the school for at least one year. DEW will also offer a bonus to the district or school for hiring and recruiting an eligible military individual. 

Assurances 

To qualify for the award, the accepting school or district must agree to the following assurances.

  • New Hire Bonus: The school or district will offer a $3,000 bonus to new hires that meet the criteria of eligible military individuals. After one year of employment at the school or district, DEW will reimburse the $3,000 bonus and the additional costs associated with the bonus -- 1.45% for Medicare and 14% for the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) or School Employees Retirement System (SERS).
  • School or District Bonus: DEW will offer a $1,500 bonus to the school or the district for hiring and recruiting an eligible military individual. These funds are unrestricted and can be utilized at the discretion of the school or district. Payments of $1,500 will be issued after each successful hire, upon completion of the DEW application process. 
  • Eligibility Criteria: Military individuals (as defined in 3319.285 of the ORC) who are new, first-time Ohio School Certificated or Classified Staff with date of employment beginning no earlier than July 1, 2023.

Awards 

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will provide the awards through the State Foundation Payment System. The following are general steps to accept the awards:

District Bonus:

  1. District or school completes Assurance Agreement (one time only)
  2. Staff member completes New Hire Application
  3.  District or School submits above documents to
    Ohiomvep@education.ohio.gov.
  4. OMVEP staff member verifies new hire's military eligibility documents in CORE.
  5. Department provides award through the State Foundation Payment System using JV90 adjustment. Payment will be issued the month following document submission to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

New Hire Bonus:

  1. Submit a letter of verification after one year of employment, signed by the Principal, and including the new hire's OHID to Ohiomvep@education.ohio.gov.
  2. OMVEP staff member verifies new hire's employment.
  3. Department provides award through the State Foundation Payment System using JV90 adjustment. Payment will be issued the month following document submission to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Military Eligibility Verification

New hires will need to set up an OHID account. New hires who do not have an Ohio driver’s license may use their military ID or another alternative form of identification to set up their OHID accounts. New hires will need to verify military service by uploading a scanned copy of a verification document. While scanning verification items, please select file type PDF for the document(s) to be uploaded.

  • Service Members: For current service members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard, upload a copy of the front of your current military ID card. For current members of the Ohio Military Reserve or Ohio Naval Militia, upload a copy of your current State of Ohio Uniformed Services ID card.
  • Veterans: If a veteran of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, please upload one of the following documents:
    • DD Form 214 including the Character of Service (must be Honorable)
    • NGB 22 including the Character of Service (must be Honorable)
  • Military Spouses: If the new hire is a spouse of a Service Member or Veteran, upload a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate verifying you are lawfully married to the Service Member or Veteran and one of the following documents:
    • DD Form 214 including the Character of Service (must be Honorable)
    • NGB 22 including the Character of Service (must be Honorable)
    • U.S. Department of Defense Next Generation USID card (front and back) 
    • DD Form 1173 (front and back) 

Email questions to: Ohiomvep@education.ohio.gov

Last Modified: 8/13/2024 3:33:14 PM