New Program Eases Veterans' Transition to College Life
WASHINGTON (Oct. 5, 2010) -- "Two community colleges and three other
four-year colleges and universities are being added to the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) VetSuccess on Campus pilot program. VA counselors
are being assigned to assist Veterans attending school under the
Post-9/11 GI Bill make the most of their educational opportunities at
Salt Lake City Community College, the Community College of Rhode Island,
Rhode Island College, Arizona State University and Texas A&M University.
"A growing number of the eight million students in America's community
colleges are Veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.
Shinseki. "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 pilot program is designed to ensure Veterans' health, educational,
and benefits needs are met as they make the transition from active-duty
military service to college life.
The announcement comes as the White House holds the first-ever community
college summit chaired by Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe
Biden and adjunct English professor at Northern Virginia Community
College. The meeting of top school and federal education officials will
focus on ways that community colleges can help meet education and
workforce demands.
"I am thrilled to see the expansion of the VetSuccess program" said Dr.
Biden. "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."
Under the pilot program already underway at the University of South
Florida, Cleveland State University, and San Diego State University,
experienced VA vocational rehabilitation counselors and outreach
coordinators from VA's Vet Centers are assigned to campuses to provide
vocational testing, career and academic counseling, and readjustment
counseling services to ensure Veterans receive the support and
assistance needed to successfully pursue their educational and
employment goals.
VA counselors work directly with school officials to establish effective
communications channels with Veteran students and coordinate the
delivery of VA benefits and services.
Peer-to-peer counseling and referral services are also available to help
resolve any problems that could potentially interfere with a Veteran's
educational program, including referrals for more intensive health
services through VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics,
or Vet Centers, as needed.
For more information on VA benefit programs and VetSuccess, go to
http://www.vba.va.gov
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