Veteran ServicesAmy O’Keefe, Commuter & Non-Traditional Student Services

Veteran Quick Facts

USA

• Over 22.7 million veterans in US

• Over 1 million service members, veterans & families will be enrolled in college courses

• Minority & women populations projected to increase

TEXAS

• Veteran services model for US

• 1.7 million veterans• 15% are female• 500 veterans purchase a

home on 1-35 corridor (Dallas-Houston) every month

National Education Statistics• Studies indicated that approximately 2 million

veterans are eligible to receive benefits. (Cook and Kim,

2009; Strawn, et al., 2009)

– Over 1 million service members, veterans & families will be enrolled in college courses (50% usage rate)

• More than 500,000 have enrolled in classes since the Post 9/11 GI Bill came into effect (military.com, July 7, 2011)

TWU Veteran Population, Fall 2013

Million Records Project• Report released March 24, 2014 (SVA)

• Examined student vets 2002-2010

• Highlights:

51.7 % earned post secondary degree or certificate

Changing graduation timelines due to increased # of

Reservists &National Guard providing greater function in

today’s military

Women are 15% of military but 21% enrolled IHL

Most Frequent Degree Fields

National

• Business • Social Sciences • Homeland Security, Law

Enforcement, Firefighting• Computer & Information

Science• Health Professions

TWU

• Health Professions• Nursing, Nutrition, Kinesiology

• General Studies• Business• Criminal Justice

Benefits Available to Students Veterans

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Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA)• Disability Benefits• Education Benefits (Registrar Office)• Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment• Home Loan Guaranty • Dependents’ & Survivors’ Benefits• Medical Treatment• Life Insurance• Burial Benefits• Local Veterans Service Office 8

Educational Benefits• Federal Benefits:

Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) Dependents (Chapter 35) Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapters

1606 & 1607)

• State Benefits: Hazelwood Act

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TWU Initiatives based on Framework for Veteran Success• Designated office/coordinator (Virtual Vet Resource Network)• Student veterans organization or club• Member of the Service members Opportunity Consortium

(SOC)• In-state tuition policy for non-residents/other scholarships• Separate orientation (in progress)• Veteran-specific website/portal• Veteran acknowledgement ceremonies • Veterans housing (family housing)

Lang & Powers, 2011

Vet Zone MissionVet Zone Training aims to provide the Texas Woman’s University community a foundational understanding of our military affiliated population in order to support their success. 60 faculty & staff trained

Signature Veteran Events

145 veterans recognized with honor cords