1. Transitioning Our Returning
Veteran Students: How Can
We Help Them?
Sharon A. Lobdell, M.A.
University of Michigan-Dearborn
MCPA 2012 Annual Conference

2. Background
O Veteran students have distinct needs and life experiences
that must be addressed in order for them to successfully
complete their academic career.
O A campus that is truly “military-friendly” should create and
monitor specific policies and programs for veteran
students.
O Our campuses need to assess how well we are bridging
the gap between student veteran needs and services
provided by Student Affairs.
O Active-duty, National Guard and Reservists, Veterans and
their Dependents make up this population on our
campuses.
O The State of Michigan ranks 11th nationally in veteran
population (703,970), representing 7.1% of the state
population.

3. Veterans Success Team
O Formed on the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus in 2009.
O Part of our Student Success Center.
O Members include representatives from Academic Support, Career
Services, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, Cashiers/Student
Accounting, Counseling and Disability Services, and Women’s
Resource Center.
O Will be expanding membership to include Admissions/Orientation,
Student Life, and Faculty.
O The VST is a group dedicated to providing information and resources
for all branches of the military, including active duty, National Guard or
Reserve, and discharged Vets at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
O UM-Dearborn was just named to the Military-Friendly Schools list by
G.I. Jobs Magazine.

4. Who are these Student Veterans?
O Many veterans are not self-
disclosing and are not utilizing the
resources available to them on
campus.
O They are highly motivated and goal
oriented.
O They are self-sufficient, and at
times don’t want to ask for help
O They are adjusting to the loss of
the military hierarchical structure
they were accustomed to.
O They are not demanding, but they
want to know that their voices are
heard.
O They have been part of a
disciplined environment and have
proven they have a strong work
ethic.

5. Who are these Student Veterans?
O For female veterans, this
identity isn’t their primary
identity, especially if they
had to leave their family.
O At times, female veterans
will not disclose their status.
O A study by the National
Center for Veteran Studies
and Student Veterans of
America shows that nearly
half of student veterans
report thinking of suicide and
20% said they had planned
to kill themselves.

6. VA Educational Programs
O Ch. 30: Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty)
O Ch. 31: Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
O Ch. 32: Veteran’s Educational Assistance Program
(VEAP)
O Ch. 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill
O Ch. 35: Survivors & Dependents Education Assistance
O Ch. 1606: Montgomery GI Bill (Selected
Reserve)
O Ch. 1607: Montgomery GI Bill (Selected
Reserve)

7. The Certification Process
O Veterans receive a percentage of benefits based on their
length of active-duty service.
O VA benefits can include the following
O health benefits/services
O compensation and pension benefits
O home loan guarantee services
O educational benefits
O life insurance benefits
O Vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits
O burial and memorial benefits
O The school certification official is required to process the
number of credit hours the student is enrolled as well as the
cost of tuition and fees for the term. This process occurs each
term, and anytime during a term when the student increases
or decreases their number of credit hours.

8. State and National Veteran
Demographics
O Over 800,000 veterans and family members are
currently using their G.I. Bill benefits. (Source: SVA
2011 Annual Report)
O Veterans are attending over 6,000 institutions of higher
learning. (Source: SVA 2011 Annual Report)
O By 2020, women veterans will make up at least 10% of
the veteran population.
O Number of Michigan veterans using G.I. Bill education
benefits: 9,344.

9. What Obstacles Do Veteran
Students Deal with on Our
Campuses?
O They are concerned that if they are seen seeking counseling
help that they will be labeled “crazy”.
O They were trained to be the “helper” or the “protector,” so they
are not accustomed to having someone do this for them.
O They want to fit into the mainstream, but at times this is difficult
to do.
O They need assistance in translating military experience into
transferable skills for civilian jobs.
O They have to deal with information barriers in that they need
data about possible transfer credits, financial aid, and
orientation for the campus.

10. Wounded Warriors
O There is an increased risk of injury and multiple deployments.
O Higher numbers of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
O Increase abuse of alcohol and substance abuse (“self-
medication”).
O Research findings show that nearly 40% of all Operation
Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans may be
disabled.
O Higher suicide rates. A Department of Defense study shows an
18% increase in the past year. Some risk factors include:
O PTSD, Survivor’s Guilt, substance abuse (“self-medicating”), access to
firearms, and finances.
O Increased alcohol or drug use.
O Frequent absences, conflicts, poor performances.
O Talk of death, being a burden, loss of meaning or purpose.
O Our campuses have limited experience with servicing needs
associated with “wounded warriors.”

11. How Do We Become More
Veteran Friendly?
O Create a veteran friendly admissions packet.
O Develop policies and procedures that support veteran students and
encourage them to pursue and complete their degree.
O Participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program allows
schools to enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition and
fees in excess of the in-state tuition rate. VA will match each dollar
the University contributes.
O Participate in the VA Work-study Program.
O Accept American Council on Education (ACE) credits.
O Provide scholarships and tuition discounts for veteran students and
their dependents.
O Give them in-state tuition, regardless of what their residency status
is.
O Allow them to enroll early to ensure they get the courses they need.
O Have a one-stop website.

12. How Do We Become More
Veteran Friendly?
O Do an annual Veteran’s Day program.
O Make adjustments to policies and procedures that
accommodate military students called to active duty.
O Make sure to get critical information about on and off campus
services to the student veteran population.
O Modify orientation program.
O Develop events that will help to develop a stronger connection
between student veterans and faculty/staff.
O Create a Student Veteran Lounge or Resource Center.
O Create a physical memorial on campus.
O Have your Veteran Services Team work with faculty to help them
understand student veterans and know when they need help.
O Establish a deferred tuition payment plan to accommodate the
possible delays in processing TA and VA paperwork.

13. Resources
O www.soc.aascu.org
O This website is for the Student Veterans of America, a student This is the
website for the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, which serves to
help coordinate postsecondary educational opportunities for
servicemembers
O www.studentveterans.org
O This website is for the Student Veterans of America, a student veteran
group seeking to provide military veterans with the resources, support, and
advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and following graduation.
O www.operationvets.com
O Operation Vets, LLC is a small business that provides management
consulting services to non-profit organizations, higher education
institutions, and various organizations that support veterans. OV assists
organizations in developing strategies and programs to effectively meet the
reintegration issues facing OEF/OIF veterans, focusing on helping them
achieve their postsecondary education
and career goals. (Taken from their website)

14. Resources
O www.vetfriendlytookit.org
O This site looks at academic, financial, student life and
mental health resources
O www.ptsd.va.gov/
O This is the National Center for PTSD, part of the
Department of Veteran Affairs
O www.legion.org/services
O The American Legion is the nation’s largest veterans
service organization. It provides help with VA claims,
assistance in finding employment, support for current
members of the military, and financial advice.