Supporting Military Families and Veterans : Browse Recent Ideas

How can community colleges support the military community?

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  Hold harmless, support groups, offer resources

  If a student is called back, hold harmless by offering tuition back or place a hold until they return. Support groups such as Student Veterans Organization to provide assistance to veterans and their families. Building trade apprentice organizations awarding college credit and work It into a formalized degree. Gives them an opportunity to come out of something they have dedicated a big portion of their life to and into ...more »

  If a student is called back, hold harmless by offering tuition back or place a hold until they return. Support groups such as Student Veterans Organization to provide assistance to veterans and their families. Building trade apprentice organizations awarding college credit and work It into a formalized degree. Gives them an opportunity to come out of something they have dedicated a big portion of their life to and into the civilian world that provides on-the-job training. Ivy Tech-Northeast is hosting (partnering with IPFW) for Senator Lugar’s Veteran Career Transition Fair that will provide resume and interviewing workshops as well as an educational and employment fair.

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  Submitted by awelch17 2 years ago

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  If you are a veteran and want to start a veterans group.

  Ok, so a reoccuring theme in these posts was a lack of support groups for veterans. I really took this all to heart and started a facebook group that right now provides alot of college advice to veterans, but the goal of the group is for other veterans at community colleges nationwide to start their own facebook page and provide the URL to their Benefits Certifing Offical that can then share it with incoming vets. Those ...more »

  Ok, so a reoccuring theme in these posts was a lack of support groups for veterans. I really took this all to heart and started a facebook group that right now provides alot of college advice to veterans, but the goal of the group is for other veterans at community colleges nationwide to start their own facebook page and provide the URL to their Benefits Certifing Offical that can then share it with incoming vets. Those of us that have made it thru the struggles of the first year out need to help the new guys, and I am throwing the first rope. Search for the group soldiers2scholars on facebook, be easy on the remarks as I just started it today and it has some refining to go thru, but I think it could lead to something great (and it really only took an hour to do, so please emulate the idea and follow the tutorial on starting your colleges own Soldiers2Scholars facebook page).

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  Submitted by Jack 2 years ago

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  Vets Resource and Wellness Center on Campuses

  I suggest you have a veterans resource and wellness center on every campus that has over 500 veterans. We can catch, tbi, ptsd, anger management, link our vets to benefits and resources. We can help them integrate back into civilian life with having recreational as well as wellness activites on campus.

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  Submitted by inspiredcoaching 2 years ago

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  from Lansing Community College

  It might be useful to promote the development of more modular approaches to training and learning in the community college setting. For example, if courses were offered in six and twelve week modules (instead of the traditional sixteen week), this might allow for a more seamless transition into the college experience for active servicepeople and veterans (as they might be already familiar with those learning/training ...more »

  It might be useful to promote the development of more modular approaches to training and learning in the community college setting. For example, if courses were offered in six and twelve week modules (instead of the traditional sixteen week), this might allow for a more seamless transition into the college experience for active servicepeople and veterans (as they might be already familiar with those learning/training timelines).

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  Submitted by robinsr6 2 years ago

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  CA Models Veterans Resource Centers: Safe places for learning, information and refuge.

  The Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges agrees with posts calling for comprehensive and coordinated services for student veterans. Some 2 million members of the U.S. Military have served in the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most will return to California and an estimated 80% of veterans returning to California from these wars seek education at a California community college as part of their ...more »

  The Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges agrees with posts calling for comprehensive and coordinated services for student veterans.

  Some 2 million members of the U.S. Military have served in the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most will return to California and an estimated 80% of veterans returning to California from these wars seek education at a California community college as part of their transition home.

  The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office is launching a statewide initiative called, “VetsConnect,” designed to ensure that there are veterans resource centers on all 112 California community college campuses. Through these centers, students get assistance - often from other veterans - with issues such as academic planning and support, counseling, and workforce training.

  The initiative would also develop a much needed statewide database on student veterans at California community colleges to better identify student veterans, tailor appropriate support measures, and disseminate best practices and online training materials to counselors and faculty throughout the state.

  We are thankful to Senator Dianne Feinstein for submitting a Congressionally Directed Spending Request in the amount of $500,000 which, if funded, will allow us to begin a pilot of VetsConnect.

  To learn more about student veterans and the California Community Colleges, check out our White House Summit video at:

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  Submitted by vpurnell 2 years ago

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  No Expiration Dates

  I am a veteran and the spouse of a veteran. Prior to my discharge I took several CLEP exams which I was told would equate to a two year college degree. Shortly after being hon. discharged I found myself in the food stamp office applying for aid. Some would say that this was poor planning - and maybe it was. But the simple truth was that there was inadaquate preperation from the military to help veterans transition into ...more »

  I am a veteran and the spouse of a veteran. Prior to my discharge I took several CLEP exams which I was told would equate to a two year college degree. Shortly after being hon. discharged I found myself in the food stamp office applying for aid. Some would say that this was poor planning - and maybe it was. But the simple truth was that there was inadaquate preperation from the military to help veterans transition into the civilian world. And the civilians were ill prepared to assist veterans outside of the normal social service arenas. I spent the next 20 years in survival mode just trying to take care of my family before I got up enough courage to try attending college again. I went to my local CC and was promptly informed that NONE of my CLEP credits would be count as they were too old and although I was employed at a management level - I had to take basic entrance exams. I did everything they asked me to do but between working 60 hours a week, the cost and the frustrations, I have decided not to continue pursuit of a degree. Only in America will they let young mothers bring their babies into the classrooms, to attend classes that are completely paid for by grants (including books), and give them 2nd and 3rd tries at turning in their homework 'cause they can't get it done on time - but a vet can't get credit for basic classes that they have already taken nor credit for any life experiences. I'm proud that I served my country, I am not proud that education institutions consider that service as worthless.

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  Submitted by owhatfun2000 2 years ago

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  Veteran Studsents

  Set up a Program for veterans returning from combat. This program should concentrate on providing adequete resources for soldiers facing difficuilty in the college setting. Some of the ideas could be, test taking skills, proper integration into a new atmosphere, one on one counseling to discuss the difficuilty of college expectations. Also maybe forming some type of social "club" or area where veteran students can meet ...more »

  Set up a Program for veterans returning from combat. This program should concentrate on providing adequete resources for soldiers facing difficuilty in the college setting. Some of the ideas could be, test taking skills, proper integration into a new atmosphere, one on one counseling to discuss the difficuilty of college expectations. Also maybe forming some type of social "club" or area where veteran students can meet and discuss some of the experiences other students have faced. Anxiety coaching would also halp very much

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  Submitted by steve.castillo 2 years ago

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  Speed up the VA payment process

  I am a vet using the post 9/11 GI bill. I know many others who are living off of this with the BAH so they can go to school and not have to work. But when it takes over 2 months to get your benifits, bills go unpaid and life gets very strained. Can we possibly speed up the process?

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  Submitted by cnlane 2 years ago

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  Nationwide community college vet transition centers

  Currently the rate of unemployment for returning veterans is at 10% higher than non -veterans. There are a variety of reasons for this number many are psychosocial issues that require one on one information that is not readily accessible by veterans. For example on active duty service members are entitled to academic counseling through DANTES however on the outside there is no education counselor for the veteran. I found ...more »

  Currently the rate of unemployment for returning veterans is at 10% higher than non -veterans. There are a variety of reasons for this number many are psychosocial issues that require one on one information that is not readily accessible by veterans. For example on active duty service members are entitled to academic counseling through DANTES however on the outside there is no education counselor for the veteran. I found it strange that veterans were given a mighty tool in the GI bill yet were left to figure out the details by themselves. Veterans’ complete certificates are higher levels than all other degree programs and community colleges are in a prime position to funnel veterans into these programs. Many of the technical certifications actually pay more than many of the 4 year degrees that lack specialization.

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  Submitted by kevin.dean 2 years ago

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  Providing Financial Support to our Military Spouses & Dependants

  As a spouse of a Silver Star recipient, Military Veteran/Current Reservist, I believe providing finanical support to the families of those who serve should also be a priority. My husband used his GI Bill after serving in the Marine Corp/enlisted, by attending Community College of Aurora, earning his AGS, and then Metro State College in Colorado, where he earned his BS, and the cost of his education was free, thanks to ...more »

  As a spouse of a Silver Star recipient, Military Veteran/Current Reservist, I believe providing finanical support to the families of those who serve should also be a priority. My husband used his GI Bill after serving in the Marine Corp/enlisted, by attending Community College of Aurora, earning his AGS, and then Metro State College in Colorado, where he earned his BS, and the cost of his education was free, thanks to the GI Bill. Years later he joined the Army Reserve as an Officer, and served in OIFIII. I never thought I would attend college, but when I was laid off from my employer, I had an opporunity to have my first 18 months of collge paid for from a workforce program. Having my education paid for made it possible to attend Community College of Aurora, where I received my AGS/Paralegal certificate . When I returned several years later to earn my bachelors degree at Colorado State University Pueblo, I had to rely on loans. I believe many of our Military families choose not to attend college due to the financial burden. Currently, I am employed at Community College of Aurora, where I was instrumental in creating a Spouses/Dependant scholarship. This scholarship provides them with finanical support to help them achieve their educational goals. Supporting military family members, also supports the Veterans.

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  Submitted by angietiedeman 2 years ago

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  Making it Easier

  Although there are some dialog with large universities there is still more needed for credits to transfers and other class events. I have been fortunate to go to Purdue and now attend Ivy-tech but found that basically it's only a one way street when it comes to transfer credits. I am a disabled vet and also would like to see more employers at our schools involved to me and other vets get good paying jobs after school ...more »

  Although there are some dialog with large universities there is still more needed for credits to transfers and other class events. I have been fortunate to go to Purdue and now attend Ivy-tech but found that basically it's only a one way street when it comes to transfer credits. I am a disabled vet and also would like to see more employers at our schools involved to me and other vets get good paying jobs after school along with some state and government agencies located near the communities colleges as well. For example I am going for PC Support and Management and would like to work for the VA and give back so having the local Hospitals such as Indy and Dan ville be involved some how maybe such as internships etc. Same goes for local state organizations as well. Recruiters come the Armed Forces why not the VA Centers and State Organizations around the area as well. Thomas Kilmer Lafayette Indiana

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  Submitted by tnavy1 2 years ago

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  CCs provide structure for returning vets

  Making the transition from combat to civy life is hard enough. Community Colleges help provide the structure and discipline that vets are used to, as they prepare for a position in the civilian work force. Community colleges help a lot to make the transition better. These people have earned every bit of suport they get. Create more opportunities for vets to find each other and interact.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  More support for veterans who have served and sacrificed their lives for our daily privileges

  Military veterans need to become a priority. There needs to be immediate help for those veterans who are choosing to continue their education after their service for their country. There needs to be counseling services, outreach programs, veterans groups, located at ALL the Community Colleges. NOW is the time that we (as a nation) should invest the resources for educating our veterans so that they can become a productive ...more »

  Military veterans need to become a priority. There needs to be immediate help for those veterans who are choosing to continue their education after their service for their country. There needs to be counseling services, outreach programs, veterans groups, located at ALL the Community Colleges. NOW is the time that we (as a nation) should invest the resources for educating our veterans so that they can become a productive party of society, give back to their community, and further help those veterans who have and will be in transitioning back into society. We need to educate faculty and staff on how to deal with the issues that military members suffer with. I cannot emphasize enough just how important acknowledging the lack of resources for veterans at the Community College level, and investing the resources properly to make a positive difference.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  Streamline Transitions

  Veterans now get four complete years of education at a rate that pays for nearly every school in the nation, yet we still flock to community colleges. As a community college student and a veteran, I speak from experience when I say that we do it because of both the great assistance programs like Combat-2-College and the perception that cc is easier. Now it is true that community college's professors are more available ...more »

  Veterans now get four complete years of education at a rate that pays for nearly every school in the nation, yet we still flock to community colleges. As a community college student and a veteran, I speak from experience when I say that we do it because of both the great assistance programs like Combat-2-College and the perception that cc is easier. Now it is true that community college's professors are more available and everyone is willing to bend over backwards to ensure student sucess at completing an Associates, but Veterans are not in school to stop at the Associates level. This is where the short falls of community college come in, they just dont sync well with 4 year schools, and students are left frustrated with not knowing exactly what credits transfer. This leads to having to spend more time in community college taking excessive courses and wasting time and space. If state schools and community colleges could commit to set degree plans that spell required courses out clearly, and minimize changing those plans once published, it would help all students, but would especially help Veteran students with our draw towards order, stability and clear objectives.

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  Submitted by Jack 2 years ago

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