Schools Accepting Veterans
Many universities today are striving to be listed as “veteran friendly.” Men and women leaving service are generally looking for an educational institution that will cater to their specialized needs as they look for further education. 1 The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America believe that it is crucial for a university to accept military credits.2 Universities can do so by using the guidelines set in place by the American Council on Education (also known as ACE.) Also, it is very important to provide clear instructions and specialized guidelines for veterans within the school application process in order to help make a university more attractive to veterans. In addition to tailoring the application process to veterans, special scholarships can be designed exclusively for veterans who wish to attend the university. 3
It may seem easy to advertise benefits for veterans through a university; it proves more difficult to ensure the veterans obtain the benefits claimed or offered. Most veterans believe that you will attract veterans by following through with claims. Making claims of being “veteran friendly” is only half of the effort needed to get the veterans talking about any particular university; it is important to also build a solid reputation of execution in order to become known as a respected school that educates veterans. 4 As the axiom goes, knowledge is power; veteran friendly education has the capacity to empower all students to achieve their amazing untapped potential.
Part of the work of a veteran friendly school involves helping veterans affected by wartime service-connected issues like forms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.5 Veterans affected by PTSD can be healed. They need to know that is possible. The university instills confidence in the veteran as education becomes his or her new mission. Through learning from top notch instructors, veterans can understand and strengthen their capacity to interact with everyday citizens. The university integrates them as students. This can be accomplished by providing meaningful counseling, information, and referrals through the appropriate university office. If the school can deliver great results for veterans, everyone will be better off.
1 Truesdell, Joanne, and Janet Paulson. Community College Times. American Association of Community Colleges, 7 Nov. 2011. Web. 12 June 2012..
2 Military Times Edge. Gannett Government Media Corporation, n.d. Web. 12 June 2012.
3 New GI Bill. Org. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, n.d. Web. 7 June 2012..
4 Horton, Alex. Vantage Point. N.p., 6 Apr. 2012. Web. 12 June 2012.
5 Shumacher, Tom. Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2012..
It may seem easy to advertise benefits for veterans through a university; it proves more difficult to ensure the veterans obtain the benefits claimed or offered. Most veterans believe that you will attract veterans by following through with claims. Making claims of being “veteran friendly” is only half of the effort needed to get the veterans talking about any particular university; it is important to also build a solid reputation of execution in order to become known as a respected school that educates veterans. 4 As the axiom goes, knowledge is power; veteran friendly education has the capacity to empower all students to achieve their amazing untapped potential.
Part of the work of a veteran friendly school involves helping veterans affected by wartime service-connected issues like forms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.5 Veterans affected by PTSD can be healed. They need to know that is possible. The university instills confidence in the veteran as education becomes his or her new mission. Through learning from top notch instructors, veterans can understand and strengthen their capacity to interact with everyday citizens. The university integrates them as students. This can be accomplished by providing meaningful counseling, information, and referrals through the appropriate university office. If the school can deliver great results for veterans, everyone will be better off.
1 Truesdell, Joanne, and Janet Paulson. Community College Times. American Association of Community Colleges, 7 Nov. 2011. Web. 12 June 2012.
3 New GI Bill. Org. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, n.d. Web. 7 June 2012.
5 Shumacher, Tom. Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2012.