Transfer-Mation Leadership Conference A Veterans Guide to Demystifying the Higher Education Process P ete LaHaie Roosevelt University Office of Veterans Services

Veterans Experiences in Higher Education Higher education is a new environment with a very different culture. Veteran students are a valuable asset and bring a unique perspective. Faculty, staff, and other students may not be aware of some of the challenges that veterans may be dealing with. Common challenges include time management, finances, social connections, and asking for help when needed.

Ask Questions, Lots of Questions Advisors Teachers Staff members Classmates Friends Mentors Family members Neighbors, community members Coworkers VA Counselors

Educational and Vocational Counseling VA's Education and Career Counseling program is a great opportunity for Servicemembers and Veterans to get personalized counseling and support to help guide their career paths, ensure most effective use of their VA benefits, and achieve their goals. Service are provided through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. asp

CareerScope

Benefits Comparison / Strategy What are your long-term educational goals? Think big. You can do it. Even if you think you can’t, there are people who think you can. What are the delimiting dates of your benefits? 15 years? 10 years? Do you want to attend a private school to finish your undergraduate degree or pursue a graduate degree?

The GI Bill

Benefits Chapter 33 Post-911 Transfer of Entitlement Chapter 35 DEA Chapter 30 Montgomery Chapters 1606 and 1607 Tuition Assistance Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG) and Illinois National Guard Grant (ING)

Scholarships / Funding Private scholarships are available and sometimes they are not awarded due to a lack of applicants meeting the established criteria. Many deadlines are up to a year before the start of term. Find out if your employer offers tuition assistance. Check with organizations you may belong to such as VFW, American Legion, IAVA, and SVA. Pat Tillman Foundation Military Scholars Program

Financial Aid for Graduate School There is very little institutional financial aid available at the graduate level. No MAP or Pell grants Graduate scholarships Graduate assistantship Private scholarships Student loans

Choosing a School GI Bill Comparison Tool

Public vs. Private - Cost VA will pay up to the highest public in-state tuition and fees. Eligible fees must apply to all students. The maximum for private schools for is $20, VA’s academic year runs August 1 st - July 31 st. Institutional aid, state aid, and tuition-specific private aid are deducted before reporting tuition and fees to VA. Title IV Aid (Pell, SEOG, loans) are not reported. These types of aid are the only forms of “refundable” financial aid other than non-tuition- specific private scholarships.

Public vs. Private - Experience Faculty to student ratio Size of classes Programs of study Relationships with employers, internship opportunities, career development resources Acceptance and utilization in curriculum of transfer credits, including ACE-evaluated military credits Time to complete program Financial aid offered Merit scholarships Need-based grants

On-Campus Benefits/Resources Does the school have a single point-of-contact or office for veterans and dependents? Does the school participate in the Yellow Ribbon program? What amount and how many students? Do they accept ACE-evaluated military credit recommendations? Do you have your JST? I encourage you to order one at jst.doded.mil if you don’t. Do they have a Veterans Resource Center or Lounge? Do they have an active Student Veterans of America Chapter? What do they do to recognize your service? Do they provide professional development opportunities to faculty and staff on working with veteran students? What academic support resources are available?

VA GI Bill Feedback System

Questions? Pete LaHaie Roosevelt University Office of Veterans Services (312)