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Veterans Outreach and Transition Assistance

Veterans Outreach and Transition Assistance. SACRAO 2014 Raleigh, North Carolina. Walter Stewart Coordinator of Veterans Services Tina Collins University Registrar. Today’s Topics. Overview of UAB Veterans Services Challenges Faced by Veteran Students and Families

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Veterans Outreach and Transition Assistance

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  1. Veterans Outreach and Transition Assistance SACRAO 2014 Raleigh, North Carolina

  2. Walter Stewart Coordinator of Veterans Services Tina Collins University Registrar

  3. Today’s Topics • Overview of UAB Veterans Services • Challenges Faced by Veteran Students and Families • Strategies for Optimizing Service to Veterans • Transition Support

  4. Veteran Services at UAB • 1100 Veterans and Family Members (500 Vets) • Two full-time staff members • Four VA work study student employees • Responsible for: Recruitment Counseling Certification

  5. Military Friendly Initiatives at UAB • Books for Vets • Information sessions • Cookouts • Updates on latest VA trends • Student Veterans Association

  6. The Reality • College campuses are starting to see a influx of veterans seeking an undergraduate education • Veteran students face many challenges

  7. Financial Challenges • Testing into remedial classes (some benefit programs don’t pay for classes not required for degree) • Late fees assessed when there is a delay in the processing of benefits • Non-resident tuition rates (often 3x the instate rate) • Large out-of-pocket expense Note: • Several states waive waiting period required for military students to meet instate residency

  8. Academic Challenges • Frustration when military experience doesn’t transfer as academic credit • Missing class due to service-related medical appointments • Having to take certain number of classes in order to avoid a reduction in benefits • Academic skills may need to be refreshed

  9. Social/Personal Challenges • Creating a balance between work and school • Feeling “isolated” from the traditional college student • Having to support their families • Marital and family issues

  10. Physical/Mental Challenges • Anxiety • Depression • PTSD • Traumatic Brain Injury • Service-related injuries

  11. Best Practices for Serving the Military Population • Provide opportunities for vets to connect • Start a student veterans organization • Ensure after-hours services for students who work during normal business hours • Create a veterans center • Hire vets through the VA’s work-study program

  12. Best Practices (con’t) • Offer housing options for veterans • Award credit for military coursework and experience • Track veterans enrollment and progress • Identify ways to get vets to self-identify • Establish consistent and transparent credit transfer policies • Clearly communicate policies on military transfer credit

  13. FROM SOLDIER TO STUDENT

  14. Transition Support • Establish a primary point-of-contact for veteran students • Train faculty and staff on veterans’ issues • Connect veterans with non-veteran student groups • Maintain contact with students who are deployed • Waive late fees; exempt these students from being dropped for nonpayment

  15. Transition Support (con’t) • Provide scholarships/in-state tuition for veterans and their family members • Train faculty and staff on military culture • Consider changing the name of the campus Disability Support Services office (e.g. Center for Accessibility and Support)

  16. Transition Support (con’t) • Advise student veterans on career choices • Partner with Career Services to prepare students for resume creation, job interviews, internships • Collaborate with Human Resources to identify campus positions for veterans upon graduation

  17. Resources VA Work Study Program Application: www.va.gov/vaforms The American Council on Education www.acenet.edu The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning www.cael.org

  18. Additional Resources www.USA4MilitaryFamilies.dod.mil Handbook: From Combat to Classroom (Understanding Student-Veterans & Servicemembers

  19. Contact InformationWalter Stewartwcstewar@uab.eduTina Collinscollinst@uab.edu

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