Colleges Prepare to Welcome Vets

Some colleges and universities are experiencing an influx of Iraq veterans––and more are expected––as the U.S. withdraws troops from that country.

"As the drawdown occurs, we will see more and more veterans taking advantage of the GI Bill, and see veterans returning to school or enrolling for the first time," says James Selbe, vice president of military operations at University of Maryland University College, one of the nation's largest public schools.

New GI Bill is key

Key to the anticipated enrollment increase is the extra five years veterans have gained to access benefits under the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act. The Post-9/11 GI Bill gives vets 15 years to use their benefits after they leave the military, compared to the 10-year cap on benefits for its predecessor, the Montgomery GI Bill.

"That additional five years is going to have a significant impact, especially on those who enter the work force with a bachelor's degree and decide they need a master's degree, or have an associate and want a bachelor's," Selbe says.

To ensure UMUC is ready to serve its veteran students, the school has expanded the ranks of its certification office, which provides advice on how to access benefits.

"Some are still eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, some are taking advantage of Vocational [Rehabilitation and Employment] benefits," Selbe says. "The certification office understands the nuances of the benefits. The GI Bill is a one-time chance for them––they need to be able to make informed decisions."

College readiness

Across the country, the University of Texas at Arlington is also experiencing a surge in veteran enrollment. The number of vets this fall has increased nearly 50 percent to almost 1,100, compared to the 2009-2010 academic year.

To help these former service members prepare for the college experience, UT Arlington has launched a weekly Student Veterans Workshop, according to Roxanna Latifi, a student development specialist.

The series of free seminars is adapted from a program offered to the general student population to help them learn about managing their time, coping with test anxiety, staying healthy and other topics related to attending college, but is taught by veteran students.

What's the 411 for distance learning?

UMUC similarly offers a no-cost "411" program for military students considering its online degree program.

Participants can speak with veteran students enrolled in the program, faculty and staff; work on practice assignments; and learn more about the career office, the library, financial aid program and the online interface.

"We provide learners who have never engaged in distance learning the opportunity to familiarize themselves with that type of platform," Selbe says.

Finding their place

Although veterans have much in common with other new or returning adult students in terms of figuring out how they learn best or managing their finances, they have other concerns that are specific to their military service backgrounds, according to UT Arlington's Latifi.

"One of the big issues for veterans is having to move from a very structured environment––and knowing what's expected of them––to a college environment, where the professor might give you a syllabus and not talk about it," Latifi says. "We see a similar issue with the general student population, but it's from a different perspective for veterans."

For the spring semester, UT Arlington is planning to offer evening sessions of its Veterans Workshop and will boost its services for enrolled veterans by creating study groups and assigning tutors to work with them.

Whatever their specific concerns, veteran students share something else in common with the general population: They want to feel comfortable on campus and discover a group of like-minded peers.

"We have orientation for student veterans, so they can get to meet each other––they just have to find each other," she says.

Career planning

Choosing a major––and career path––is another aspect of the college experience UMUC tries to tailor for its veteran students.

Some students might opt to build on their military experience by focusing on information technology for a potential career in cyber security, while other vets might choose education or a completely different field, Selbe says.

"The one constant among them is that they still want to find themselves in a position where they're able to serve their community in some way, shape or form, whether it's their local community or the community at large," Selbe says.

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