2. Veterans in Missouri
567,388 total Missouri military community population
9.3% of Missouri’s total population
1.651 billion paid in compensation and pension benefits
to veterans in Missouri
49,587 Veteran-owned businesses in Missouri
14,332 student veterans with VA education benefits going
into Missouri-based higher education institutions
$55,026,605 in VA education benefits going to Missouri-
based higher education institutions
3. Student Veterans at MCC
2015
2016
Penn Valley = 83
All Campuses = 456
Penn Valley = 105
All Campuses = 439
Penn Valley Student Veteran Association Officers
5. Penn Valley Student Veterans
27 = Associate of Arts
13 = Paramedic
12 = Professional Nursing
9 = Paramedic
5 = Radiologic Technology
3 = Computer Information Systems
3 = Computer Science
2 = Health Information Technology
2 = Industrial Technologies
1 = Physical Therapist Assistant
1 = Surgical Technology
1 = Coding Specialist
1 = Dental Assisting
1 = Welding
5 = Undecided
6. Navigating the college process
Pre-enrollment:
Transitioning to civilian life
Lack of knowledge of educational benefits, and how to
apply them
Navigating Financial Aid
Disclosing Veteran status on application
Navigating multiple steps/staff to get to enrollment
Testing
Choosing a degree program
Veterans Upward Bound
7. Enrollment:
Housing
Lack of available information on applying benefits
Concern over being stigmatized
Enrollment center layout/ wait times
Navigating multiple steps/staff to get to enrollment
Lack of communication
Selecting classes
8. Starting College
Expectations vs Reality
Non-traditional student, many have young families
Navigating new disabilities (physical, cognitive,
emotional)
Fear of being singled out or stigmatized
Lack of campus connection
Resistant to asking for help
Frustrated by the behaviors of others
Feeling inadequate
9. Getting to Graduation
Time management
Managing school, work, family responsibilities
Access to resources/ removing the stigma
Finding a way to give back and connect
Preparing to transition to a University setting or
career
Access to employment services
Concerns over losing the structure of college
10. How to Assist in Overcoming Obstacles
Do not “sugar-coat”
Only refer to trusted, tried and true resources
Introduce to new professionals face-to-face (with a
handshake)
Know how to access on-campus veteran resources and SVA
leadership on campus (access to additional resources)
Follow up and follow through
11. How to Provide a Veteran Friendly
Experience
Set up your space accordingly
Maintain eye contact
Handshake with eye contact at opening and closing of
conversations
Acknowledge unavoidable distractions
Provide a stable point of contact that does not rotate in
your office
Follow up and follow through
12. Unique Needs of Student Veterans
Need class schedules to be flexible enough to allow for
family, work, training & potential deployment(s).
Veterans may not be aware of the extent of any identified
or unidentified disabilities.
They are learning and navigating a new system.
A Veterans time is not “their own.” There are many
demands placed upon them and they typically detest
wasting time.
Encourage communication and demonstrate flexibility.
13. Veteran Resources
United Way 2-1-1
Hotline provides resources for everyday needs
Available 24/7
FREE!
Full-time veterans navigator
Full-time healthcare advocate
Veterans Crisis Line
Confidential Help for Veterans and Their Families
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention
Available 24/7 online (VeteransCrisisLine.net)
Available 24/7 via phone (1-800-273-8255 press 1)
Available 24/7 via text (838255)
Military.com
Provides basic information on GI Bill and other benefits
Useful for translating benefits into “laymen's terms”
Gibill.va.gov
Resources for all things GIBill
Provides direct links for application and forms
Provides up-to-date information on changes and payment information for benefits
Provides links to other VA related services
14. References Last, F. M. (Year, Month Date Published). Article title.
Retrieved from URL
Cahn, D. (2011, March 23). Colleges struggle with turning veterans into graduates. Retrieved
from http://pilotonline.com/news/military/colleges-struggle-with-turning-veterans-into-
graduates/article_7e3d5093-2683-5406-abe5-dab0762ee157.html
Lighthall, A. (ND). Ten Things You Should Know About Today’s Student Veteran. Retrieved
from http://www.nea.org/home/53407.htm
MCC AC Research and Assessment. (2016, May 24). Veterans (Military) Bi-weekly Report.
Kansas City, MO: Metropolitan Community College.
Missouri Behavioral Health Alliance. (2016). Missouri’s Military Community; A look at Service
Members, Veterans, & their Families. Jefferson City, Missouri: Missouri Behavioral Health
Alliance.
O’Connor, P. (2011, November 20). Vets returning to college face unique challenges.
Retrieved from http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/vets-returning-to-college-face-
unique-challenges/article_ae59e54c-6fd7-5238-a22a-d4112bd663cc.html
Student Veterans of America. (2016). Research Brief SVA Spotlight: Commonalities and
Intersections within the Student Veteran Population. Washington, DC: Student Veterans of
America.
