Database System Modernization

Overview

The Veterans Education Benefits Database System Modernization project aimed to streamline the management and administration of veteran education benefits through a comprehensive, cloud-based solution. The goal was to replace the outdated system with a robust platform that would improve accessibility, enhance the user experience, and ensure compliance with state regulations. App Maisters was selected to lead the development of this solution, which included both mobile application development and the modernization of the web platform to better serve veterans, educational institutions, and staff.

Objective

App Maisters was tasked with developing and implementing a modern, scalable database system to manage the veteran tuition exemption program. The new solution was designed to:

Provide veterans with an intuitive and accessible interface to manage their benefits.
Enable educational institutions to efficiently process and track tuition exemptions.
Empower staff with comprehensive administrative tools to manage veteran education benefits.

The solution also required upgrading and expanding key components of the system, including mobile access, secure sign-in functionality, role-based permissions, and the integration of new identifiers (e.g., Department of Defense (DOD) IDs).

Solution

App Maisters led the complete modernization of the veteran education benefits management system, delivering a comprehensive cloud-based solution. A mobile application was developed using React Native for both iOS and Android platforms, enabling veterans and educational institutions to manage exemptions and track benefits on the go. Key features included secure login, two-factor authentication, real-time data syncing, role-based access control, and push notifications for reminders and updates.

Simultaneously, the backend database was redesigned to support both Social Security Numbers (SSNs) and Department of Defense (DOD) IDs, aligning with federal identification standards and ensuring flexibility in managing veteran records. The web platform also underwent a full user interface overhaul, introducing modern layouts, intuitive navigation, breadcrumb trails, interactive tooltips, smart form validation, and role-based dashboards. The academic year format was updated to support multi-year ranges, improving alignment with university schedules.

To enhance security and usability, App Maisters streamlined the user registration and sign-in process, removing unnecessary complexity and integrating 2FA to safeguard access to sensitive information. User experience design principles were applied throughout the platform to ensure ease of use, accessibility, and logical task flow. In addition, the system incorporated robust reporting capabilities, allowing staff to generate individual and bulk exemption reports in PDF format, with support for CSV uploads to process large data sets efficiently.

Lastly, a revocation management module was introduced for handling legacy benefit restrictions. This enabled institutional staff to apply or lift revocations based on submitted documentation, with built-in guidance for proper benefit reinstatement procedures. The result was a scalable, secure, and user-friendly system that significantly improved operations for all stakeholders.

Main Features

Mobile App Development:

Veterans and educational institutions gained access to a mobile app that provides seamless management of benefits, including exemption requests, benefit tracking, and notifications.
The app allows users to access and manage their benefits, submit exemptions, and track hours from anywhere, at any time.

Improved Database Management:

The backend database was redesigned to include both SSN and DOD ID as unique identifiers for veterans and dependents, ensuring compliance with federal requirements and improving data integrity.

Enhanced User Interface:

The web-based interface was modernized with intuitive navigation, smart form validations, and clear error notifications, ensuring that veterans and staff can easily use the system with minimal training.

Secure Sign-In & Authentication:

App Maisters implemented a secure, user-friendly sign-in flow, including two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect user data and ensure that only authorized users can access the system.

Comprehensive Reporting & Data Export:

App Maisters developed custom reporting tools for both individual and bulk exemption submissions, with PDF export and printing capabilities for easy reporting and record-keeping.

Revocation Management:

The system allowed institutions to manage legacy benefit revocations, providing clear instructions and options for applying or lifting revocations as needed.

Results

The modernization initiative led by App Maisters significantly improved the overall management of veteran education benefits. By automating core workflows and introducing real-time access to records, the system greatly reduced the administrative burden on educational institutions and internal staff, while also improving accuracy in benefit processing. Veterans gained enhanced accessibility through both the web platform and mobile application, enabling them to conveniently manage their benefits and submit exemption requests anytime, anywhere. The adoption of a secure, cloud-based infrastructure ensured that data remained protected and synchronized across all devices, while also offering the scalability needed to support future growth and additional features. Furthermore, the redesigned interface introduced a more intuitive and user-friendly experience, allowing both veterans and institutional users to navigate the system with ease, ultimately simplifying benefit management for all stakeholders involved.