Refinancing available to vets with subprime loans

Veterans with conventional home loans now have new options for refinancing to a loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a news release. These new options are available as a result of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, which President Bush signed into law on Oct. 10.

The VA now can help more veterans who have subprime loans. Veterans who wish to refinance their subprime or conventional mortgage may now do so for up to 100 percent of the value of the property. These types of loans were previously limited to 90 percent of the value.

Previously, these refinancing loans were capped at $144,000. Now such loans may be made up to $729,750, depending on where the property is located.

The VA’s authority to guarantee adjustable rate mortgages and hybrid ARMs also was extended through Sept. 30, 2012.

Information is at (877) 827-3702 or www.homeloans.va.gov.

Flu shots now available

Portsmouth Naval Medical Center and its branch health clinics are now administering flu vaccines to Tricare-eligible beneficiaries.

Vaccines are available at the Portsmouth immunization clinic and at the following clinics: Sewells Point Clinic at Norfolk Naval Station, Adm. Joel T. Boone Clinic at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, Oceana Naval Air Station, Naval Support Activities Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, and Tricare Prime Clinic Virginia Beach and Tricare Prime Clinic Chesapeake.

For hours, call (757) 953-3045. For more information, visit http://www-nmcp.mar.med.navy.mil.

Donations benefit Care to Connect

Throughout the holiday season, shoppers can give $1, $5 or $10 toward prepaid phone cards for military members at AT&T stores through the Care to Connect program.

AT&T will match the total collected by the program through Dec. 21, according to a news release.

Phone cards generated through the program will be distributed to troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas regions between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

Used phones may be dropped off at AT&T stores for the charity Cell Phones for Soldiers.

The recycled phones are sold and proceeds are used to buy phone cards for the troops. Free shipping labels are available at www.att.com/holidayconnect.

Scholarships offered

The Virginia Advisory Council on Military Education will award scholarships to qualified applicants stationed in Virginia.

Those eligible include active duty military personnel and their spouses or children; permanently disabled military members and their spouses or children; family members of service members killed in action; and drilling reservists or National Guard members.

To submit an application, visit www.va-acme.org. Applications must be post-marked by Dec. 31. Recipients will be notified in February.

Events, meetings

College aid seminar Information on grants, loans and scholarships. Open to active duty personnel, retirees, family members, and all other base personnel. 11:30 a.m. Dec. 3, Naval Station Norfolk, Navy College, Building IE, Classroom No. 8. (757) 489-3329.

82nd Airborne Division Seeking eligible veterans for membership and for upcoming reunion, Aug. 19-22, in Indianapolis. Participation in combat not required. (937) 898-5977 or srgabn@aol.com.

Military briefs run every Friday.