Posts Tagged ‘student veterans’

An Inside Look at the Longwood Student Veteran’s Group

Did you know that Longwood University is one of the only schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia that has a Student Veterans group? In the next couple of years, the number of student veterans on college campuses is going to increase immensely and every university should have a group like this on campus to better help these student veterans transition to their civilian life. Longwood University has had this organization for a year now and it is all thanks to one brave gentlemen, Greg Serwo. As a student veteran himself, Greg Serwo attends Longwood University and plans to graduate in May 2010. As a former active duty Marine and current Air Reserves man, Greg wanted to get involved with student veteran issues.

While transitioning to campus, Greg realized that there was no veteran-specific support available at Longwood University. It all started in the Summer of 2008 because of an assignment for Ms. Mary Caroll-Hackett’s English 400 class, Greg wrote a proposal to start a program on campus for student veterans. After having experienced the struggle of transitioning back into student and civilian life himself, he wanted to help student vets make a smoother transition back to their studies. He then took it one step farther and worked to pitch the idea to Longwood University’s President, Dr. Cormier. Dr. Cormier then assisted in introducing Greg to Mr. Tom DeWitt, who sits on the Board of Directors for The Aurora Foundation, which was created in October 2008 to help student veterans receive the support they need on campus.

Greg knew what it was going to take to get a Student Veteran Association created on campus. His initial goal is to hit close to home and then slowly broaden and expand as he reached out to more veterans. He intends to start small on campus and eventually expand the efforts to Walter Reed and the D.C. Metro hospitals where he will continue to support veterans. He wants to help other vets realize what opportunities lie ahead for them–starting with the G.I. Bill and going to college.

» Read more: An Inside Look at the Longwood Student Veteran’s Group

Veterans Benefits and Vocational Training

Of the many veterans benefits available to you, those that the Veterans Administration provides for education and vocational training may be the most generous. Upon discharge from military service you may have discovered that the experience and training received during your enlistment may not translate directly into the civilian workforce. Additional training may be required to jump start your career. If the prospect of returning to a traditional school environment leaves you cold, you may want to consider vocational technical training. The same hands on experience that attracted you to military service can be obtained at a vocational technical training school. Exploring the veterans benefits available for post secondary vocational training is a great place to start preparing for a new career.

The transition from military to civilian service can be difficult. Many find that the most difficult part of connecting with their benefits is not the lack of information available but the information overload they experience. A quick internet search of the words GI Bill returns over one million hits. Keep it simple – don’t let the landslide of information paralyze you. The Veterans Administration website is a great place to start for the veteran who simply wants to take advantage of their veterans education benefits.

Returning student veterans do not need to become an expert on the GI Bill. A quick read of the basics is sufficient to get you started. There will be counselors at the vocational school you choose who will help you connect with the veterans benefits you have earned. In addition to veterans benefits you may be eligible for traditional means of financial aid. By all means, educate yourself about the benefits to which you are entitled but do not let yourself become overwhelmed by the complexity of the information. Let those who deal with veterans benefits each and every day guide you through the process.

» Read more: Veterans Benefits and Vocational Training