Veterans and Higher Education Prepared by: Sam Ohannesian, Director of Enrollment Services and Veterans’ Affairs

Overview of VA Educational Benefits: Federal and State

VA Education Benefits - Federal Chapter 30: The Montgomery GI Bill- Active Duty – Active duty service since July 1, 1985 –Contributed $1,200 to an education fund –Completed a qualifying amount of honorable active-duty service –Receive 36 months of full-time benefits

VA Education Benefits - Federal Chapter 1606: The Montgomery GI Bill- Selective Reserve Incurred an initial 6 year Select Reserve obligation in the Reserves or National Guard Receive 36 months of full-time benefits

VA Education Benefits - Federal Chapter 1607: The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) –Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve Called or ordered to active service on or after 9/11/01 –Receives 36 months of full-time benefits

VA Education Benefits - Federal Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program –Service connected disability of at least 10% or –Memorandum rating of 20% or more from the VA –Full payment of all required books, fees, tuition and supplies

VA Education Benefits - Federal Chapter 33: The Post 9/11 GI Bill –Active duty service post 9/10/01 Tuition and fee payment to schools Monthly Housing Allowance Book and supplies stipend Yellow Ribbon Program

VA Education Benefits - Federal Veterans Retraining Assistance Program –Product of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 –12 months of training assistance to unemployed veterans Community College Technical School

VA Education Benefits - Federal Federal Tuition Assistance Active duty Guard or Reserves Up to $4,500 per year

State Benefits Categorical Tuition Waiver for Veterans and Active Duty Members Massachusetts National Guard Education Assistance Program

Some Figures

Post 9/11 GI Bill Beneficiaries received the Post 9/11 GI Bill –In 2009: 34,393 –In 2010: 365,640 –In 2011: 555,329 – 440,918 veterans/servicemembers In Massachusetts: 7,078 Connecticut: 3,276 In New Hampshire: 1,736 Rhode Island: 1,424

Additional Numbers From 1999 to 2010, 46% increase in veterans with a service connected disability –1 in 3 with combat stress or TBI Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment participants –2000: 50,281 –2010: 117,130

Educational Attainment A 2011 report furnished by the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics showed: –From a higher percentage of veterans than non-veterans completed some college, but not a degree –Nationally, 57% of all students entering four- year institutions graduate Rates for veteran students are lower

Educational Attainment cont’d.. Less than high school graduate High school graduate (includes equivalency) Some college or associate's degree Bachelor's degree or higher Barnstable1,1415,2016,4789,444 Berkshire1,1863,7993,5102,537 Bristol4,44610,65010,6167,754 Essex3,10113,58313,74814,115 Franklin3082,0312,5481,070 Hampden3,38112,03510,2477,205 Hampshire7203,4282,7372,439 Middlesex5,03022,66621,83929,328 Norfolk County2,92410,51711,70013,001 Plymouth County2,16013,85512,12110,016 Suffolk County1,8197,6997,3026,671 Worcester County5,90219,68217,59412, American Community Survey

Supporting student veterans

“But they (the Veterans) come with a different set of life experiences – experiences that will be invaluable in your classes. They will be among the best of your students. The challenge for them and for all of us is to get them through the initial six months to a year. If we succeed in transitioning them, they will be invaluable contributors to your institutions.” Eric K. Shinseki,Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Characteristics of a veteran student By definition, veteran students are “non- traditional students” –Delays enrollment –Adult student (23/24 as opposed to 18/19) –Many are first generation –More life experiences

Characteristics cont’d… Uniqueness –Branch of service –Military status (active, inactive, retired, disabled, etc.) –Stateside/warzone –Marital status –Employment status

Characteristics cont’d… Focused Motivated Serious Goal Oriented

Challenges Understanding their benefits Financial –GI Bill –Life expenses

Challenges cont’d… Social –Connecting with peers/blending in –Feeling a sense of belonging –Overcoming the stigma

Challenges cont’d… Academic difficulties –Lack of study skills –Academic deficits –Classroom experiences –Military transfer credit Home life

Challenges cont’d… Cognitive difficulties associated with TBI or PTSD –Veterans are new to their disabilities –They are just developing and understanding how their disability may affect them –The process for accepting their disability will take time

Institutional Responsibilities To create a seamless and stress free transition Develop, implement and offer services Become Veteran Friendly/Military Friendly

SSU Enrollment Trends Grad Degree /Cert Grad Non- Degree UGrad Degree/ Cert UGrad Non- Degree FL ’ SP ’ FL ’ SP ’ FL ’ SP ’ FL ’ SP ’

Student Veteran Surveys Survey findings included: –Students felt navigating through higher education was challenging –Relationships with other students were affected “You don 't feel as connected to students that are fresh out of high school. I've "been there done that" and its hard to explain to students exactly what you did, especially when they are verbally complaining about miniscule things. Ex: "Its so cold out." "Ugh, I said milk in my coffee not cream."

Findings cont’d… Desire of a student veterans group Requested special attention to veterans during new student orientations Desire for veteran oriented courses Provide awareness to campus community on veteran related issues Students were not utilizing campus services

Actions Taken Established point person for all veterans Created a student veteran group Developed veterans information sessions at orientations Provide veterans awareness seminars and workshops to faculty, staff and students Developed curriculum for veteran students

Additional Veteran Friendly Practices Billing accommodations for GI Bill recipients Resume workshops Veterans benefit and career fair Veterans day recognition luncheon Student veteran stole ceremony and alumni celebration

Being Veteran Friendly Get to know your student veteran students Find out what your students want/need Provide an environment that is both inclusive and supportive Educate your campus on issues pertaining to veterans –Student panels –Presentations

Being Veteran Friendly Review policies and make accommodations for veterans Take the time to inform students as much as possible Build a collaborative network

Retention/Graduation of Entering Cohorts FreshmanTransfer MilitaryNot MilitaryMilitaryNot Military Entered Retained/Graduated after 1 Year %74%91%78% %80%74%78% %72%65%78% Retained/Graduated after 2 Years %63%74%70% %64%65%72%

Questions?

References American Council on Education. (2010). Accommodating student veterans with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder: Tips for campus faculty and staff. Retrieved from mmodatingStudentVeterans_ pdf mmodatingStudentVeterans_ pdf Durdella,N. and Kim,Y. (2012). Understanding patterns of college outcomes among student veterans. Journal of Studies in Education. Retrieved from National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics. (2011). Educational attainment of veterans: 2000 to Retrieved from National Survey of Student Engagement. (2010). Veterans in college perceive lower levels of campus support and interact less with faculty than nonveterans, survey finds. Retrieved from Sach, R. (2008) Valuing Veterans. Inside Higher Ed.com. July, 2008, from Veterans Benefits Administration (2011). Annual Benefits Report. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Sam Ohannesian Director of Enrollment Services and Veterans’ Affairs