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 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 ,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 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, Retrieved from Chronicle of Higher Education (2010, June 13). Veterans use new GI bill largely at for-profit and 2- year colleges. Retrieved from New/65914/ Chronicle of Higher Education (2010, June 13). Who enrolls the most students with post-9/11 GI benefits. Retrieved from Department of Defense (2010, June). GI bill transferability has arrived. Retrieved from Department of Veterans Affairs (2011, August 18). The post-9/11 GI bill. Retrieved from Field, K. (2008). Cost, convenience drive veterans' college choices. Chronicle of Higher Education, 54(46), A1. Retrieved from

References Hoyle, G. (2008). What is distance education and distance learning? Distance Learning on the Net. Retrieved from Marine Corps Times (2010, May 18). 9 ways to improve the post-9/11 GI bill. Retrieved from w/ NACADA (2005). NACADA statement of core values of academic advising. Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site: 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 live Student Affairs Leadership Council (2009). From military service to student life: Strategies for supporting student veterans on campus. Washington, DC: Education Advisory Board