veterans experiences in higher education

Transfer-MationLeadership Conference

A Veterans Guide to Demystifyingthe Higher Education Process

Pete LaHaieRoosevelt 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.• http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/

edu_voc_counseling.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 2013–2014 is $19,198.31.• Will likely increase for 2014–2015.• VA’s academic year runs August 1st - July 31st.

• 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? (If not, order one asap at

jst.doded.mil!)• Do they have a Veterans Resource Center or

Lounge?• Do they have an active SVA Chapter?• What do they do to recognize your service?

VA GI Bill Feedback System

Questions?

Pete LaHaieRoosevelt University

Office of Veterans Services(312) 341-2472

plahaie@roosevelt.eduwww.roosevelt.edu/veterans