Reaching for the Stars and Bars: Helping Student
Veterans Achieve New Heights in Higher Education
Presented by: Amy Shannon & David Bucci
East 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 1944
16 million veterans took advantage of G. I. Bill and accounted
for 49% of college admissions in 1947
Veterans’ Adjustment Act
1952: Provided veterans of the Korean War with education
benefits
1966: Revised during Vietnam War. Extended education
benefits to service members who served during times of war
and peace
Montgomery Bill of 1984
Provides 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 forprofit 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 Office
2. Academic Advising
3. Financial Aid
4. Recreation Center
5. 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 2year colleges. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/Veterans-Use-Benefits-ofNew/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_0
51710w/
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=ehostlive
Student Affairs Leadership Council (2009). From military service to student life: Strategies for
supporting student veterans on campus. Washington, DC: Education Advisory Board