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Friday, October 18, 2013

"Strategies for veteran success" at Florida University

Colleges dedicate staff, facilities to ease veterans from war to student, civilian life
By Associated Press
October 18,2013

TOLEDO, Ohio — Many veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have embarked on a new mission, but this transition from battlefield to university classroom isn’t always easy.

Colleges and universities are offering an array of services, from tutoring to setting up vets-only lounges, to help them succeed.

Some of the challenges that the veterans face are medical.

Adam Fisher, a freshman at the University of Toledo, deals with post-traumatic stress disorder by participating in group therapy.

“It’s hard for me to be around so many people,” he said.

Other challenges are academic. Veterans often have to sharpen their math, reading and study skills after being away from school for so long.

They face cultural hurdles too.

While many other freshmen are testing their independence after moving away from home for the first time, some of the veterans back in school are supporting a family, working evenings and weekends.
About 500 veterans attend Florida State University, an increase of about 40 percent from the previous fall.

The school offers a class just for veterans called “strategies for veteran success.” It’s designed to boost their confidence and allows them to meet other veterans. The university holds a job fair for all students but opens it up a day early for veterans on campus. It also allows students to defer many expenses, such as their books and meal plan, because of the time it takes to get VA payments processed.
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