Reaching for the Stars and Bars: Helping Student Veterans Achieve New Heights in Higher Education

Presented by: Amy Shannon & David BucciEast Carolina University

Outline of Presentation

• Explore past and present veterans educational assistance policies and discuss how these policies have evolved to be a part of today's academic world

• Discuss a variety of issues that arise when advising veterans

• Share tips on how to navigate through potential educational barriers

History of Education Assistance to Veterans

Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 194416 million veterans took advantage of G. I. Bill and accounted

for 49% of college admissions in 1947

Veterans’ Adjustment Act1952: Provided veterans of the Korean War with education

benefits1966: Revised during Vietnam War. Extended education

benefits to service members who served during times of war and peace

Montgomery Bill of 1984Provides up to 36 months of benefits for university, technical,

or vocational courses(Department of Veterans Affairs, 2010)

Post 9/11 G. I. Bill Overview• Signed into law in 2008• Active duty service performed after September 10, 2001• Must have served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty

Exception: Individuals honorably discharged for a service connected disability who served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001

• Eligibility tiers (40%-100%)• Can pay all public school in-state tuition and fees (effective Aug 1,

2011) • Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 annually• Yellow Ribbon Program exists for out-of-state fees and costs above

the cap• Provides housing allowances• Yearly books and supplies stipend

(Department of Veterans Affairs, 2011)

Statistics of Post 9/11 G. I. Bill

2009-2010

• 270,666 students used Post 9/11 G. I. Bill benefits• University of Phoenix: Enrolled more than 10,000

students• 7 of the top 15 colleges enrolling recipients of Post

9/11 G. I. Bill were largely online

(Chronicle of Higher Education, 2010)

Factors Contributing to Veterans’ College Choices(Sewall, 2010)

• Cost• Location• Convenience• Support systems

These specific factors have lead many student veterans to enroll in for-profit institutions and community colleges (Field, 2008; Sewall).

Among the top fifteen institutions that enrolled students receiving Post 9/11 G. I. Bill benefits in 2009, five were community colleges.

Who enrolls the most…

(Chronicle of Higher Education, 2010)

Unique Issues that Student Veterans Face

• Administrative• Encounter obstacles in admission process

due to nontraditional profile• Need assistance to negotiate complex

benefits and financial aid process• Encounter college personnel who lack an

understanding of the different standards for granting educational credit for military service and experience

(Student Affairs Leadership Council, 2009)

Unique Issues that Student Veterans Face

• Transitional• Developing an identity and sense of

community• Managing the shift from regimented

military environment to independent university lifestyle

• Coping with apprehension about being singled out due to military service

(Student Affairs Leadership Council, 2009)

Unique Issues that Student Veterans Face

• Personal• Deployment• Overcoming reluctance to ask for help• Recognizing their limits• Seeking support for physical limitations

and/or mental health needs

(Student Affairs Leadership Council, 2009)

Barriers to Campus Participation

• Class load• Age gap• Full-time job• A spouse/partner and children• Not finding a group to fit in with• Long commute

(Student Affairs Leadership Council, 2009)

Top 5 Most Frequently Used Campus Resources

1. Veterans Affairs at Registrars Office2. Academic Advising3. Financial Aid4. Recreation Center5. Career Center

(Student Affairs Leadership Council, 2009)

Recognizing the Roadblocks

(Student Affairs Leadership Council, 2009)

Tips on How to Navigate Through Educational Barriers

• Build a knowledge pool• Programs, in-services, symposiums

• Identify military status from the outset• Discuss the possibility of rewarding service with

the departments you work with• Educate yourself about military transfer credit

guidelines and policies• Welcome veterans and address transitional

concerns• Help veterans make connections• Learn about student organizations

Tips on How to Navigate Through Educational Barriers

• Foster veterans’ confidence• Gain an understanding of the infrastructure

for veterans’ services at your institution• Be aware of campus resources

• Student organizations, counseling center, etc.

• Understand withdrawal process for deployment

• Learn the language (DD-214, CLEP, CCAF)• Create, build & foster partnerships

(Student Affairs Leadership Council, 2009)

References

Buck, J., Moore , J., Schwartz, M., & Supon, S. (2001). What is ethical behavior for an academic

adviser? Published in The Mentor, Jan. 9, 2001. Retrieved from

www.psu.edu/dus/mentor/010109jb.htm

Chronicle of Higher Education (2010, June 13). Veterans use new GI bill largely at for-profit and 2-

year colleges. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/Veterans-Use-Benefits-of-New/65914/

Chronicle of Higher Education (2010, June 13). Who enrolls the most students with post-9/11 GI

benefits. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/Who-Enrolls-the-Most-Students/65923/

Department of Defense (2010, June). GI bill transferability has arrived. Retrieved from

http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/

Department of Veterans Affairs (2011, August 18). The post-9/11 GI bill. Retrieved from

http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/Post911_changes.html

Field, K. (2008). Cost, convenience drive veterans' college choices. Chronicle of Higher

Education, 54(46), A1. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ806428&site=ehost-live

References

Hoyle, G. (2008). What is distance education and distance learning? Distance Learning on the

Net. Retrieved from http://www.hoyle.com/distance/define.htm

Marine Corps Times (2010, May 18). 9 ways to improve the post-9/11 GI bill. Retrieved from

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/careers/military_careers/military_gibill_improvements_051

710w/

NACADA (2005). NACADA statement of core values of academic advising. Retrieved from the

NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site:

http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/Core-Values.htm

Sewall, M. (2010). Veterans use new GI bill largely at for-profit and 2-year colleges. Chronicle

of Higher Education, 56(38), A20-A21. Retrieved from

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=51842824&site=ehost-

live

Student Affairs Leadership Council (2009). From military service to student life: Strategies for

supporting student veterans on campus. Washington, DC: Education Advisory Board