VetSuccess Program Expands to Five New Educational Institutions

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that VetSuccess, a program that helps veterans simplify the transition from military to civilian life is set to expand its VetSuccess on Campus pilot program to five additional campuses. The VetSuccess on Campus program provides extensive support to veterans who attend school under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Under the program, veterans have access to experienced vocational rehabilitation counselors who are available to help ensure their veterans' educational benefits and health needs are met as they transition from active-duty service to life in college.

The five educational institutions that are joining the pilot program include:

• Salt Lake Community College
• Community College of Rhode Island
• Texas A&M University
• Arizona State University
• Rhode Island College

These schools will be joining the University of South Florida, San Diego State University, and Cleveland State University who are also participating in the pilot program.

Under VetSuccess on Campus, veterans have one clear point of contact at their institution--something that hastens and simplifies communication between the VA and school officials. VA counselors also provide peer-to-peer counseling and referral services, vocational testing, and can act as liaisons if a problem arises that could impede a veteran's pursuit of higher education.

GI Bill Schools: Helping Veterans with Education

VetSuccess on Campus is specifically designed to help veterans using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits attend school. Trained counselors and VA staff will be assigned to all of the participating schools in order to help ensure the program runs smoothly. At Arizona State University, for example, a vocational rehabilitation counselor, two VA staff, and a Vet Center outreach coordinator are being assigned to the university to help veterans.

"We are fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with the VA in establishing their VetSuccess on Campus representatives at ASU," says Kathy McBride, associate registrar at Arizona State University. "The pilot program's mission meshes with the goals of the offices and staff serving veterans at ASU, as it complements our efforts to enable academic success and career preparation."

This program will compliment the many programs Arizona State already has in place to help veterans pursuing higher education. These programs include the on-site Veterans Upward Bound office that helps veterans strengthen their academic skills, as well as a dedicated section in the school's registrar's office that assists veterans and their dependents. Additionally, the Arizona State participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a joint program between the school and the VA that can provide additional financial assistance to veterans enrolled in educational programs that exceed Post-9/11 GI Bill payouts.

Community Colleges: Playing a Vital Role in Developing a New Workforce

In a press release announcing the program's expansion, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Erick Shinseki noted that a growing number of the eight million students in America's community colleges are veterans. Furthermore, he continued that the "VA will do all it can to make Veterans' experiences in our community colleges and universities fulfilling and productive for them, their schools and the Nation."

The expansion of the program to community colleges will not go unnoticed. American community colleges enroll more than 8 million students annually and veterans make up a large portion of those students. Salt Lake Community College, for example, serves roughly 800 veterans while Rhode Island Community College serves about 550 veterans.

Furthermore, the expansion of VetSuccess on Campus comes on the heels of the White House Summit on Community Colleges. During the Summit on Community Colleges, President Barack Obama proposed that community colleges produce an additional 5 million graduates per year.

"It's time to reform our community colleges so that they provide Americans of all ages a chance to learn the skills and knowledge necessary to compete for the jobs of the future," President Obama said.

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden and adjunct English professor at Northern Virginia Community College, praised the recent expansion of the VetSuccess program. "I know the transition from military to student life can be challenging, and we owe it to those who have served our country to make their transitions as easy and successful as possible," said Professor Biden.

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