Expanding the Support for our Veteran Students

The Military & Veterans Service Centerat

Scott Gemmill904-997-2503sgemmill@fscj.eduLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/scott-gemmill/1a/51a/a28

Military Demographics

Living Veterans: 23, 234,000 Northeast Florida: 215,313 (Ages 17-44: 48,969)

1. Duval County: 98.861 (Ages 17-44: 25,800)2. Clay County: 30,076 (Ages 17-44: 7,691)3. St. Johns County: 21,569 (Ages 17-44: 3,923)4. Alachua County: 18,537 (Ages 17-44: 4,472)5. Flagler County: 12,537 (Ages 17-44: 1,548)6. Nassau County: 9,104 (Ages 17-44: 1,249)7. Columbia County: 8,157 (Ages 17-44: 1,409)8. Putnam County: 7,826 (Ages 17-44: 985)9. Bradford County: 4,112 (Ages 17-44: 840)10. Baker County: 2,756 (Ages 17-44: 639)11. Union County: 1,777 (Ages 17-44: 518)

Military & Veterans Service Center provides: Academic Advising Career Training, including Resumes, Networking, Job Search,

Interview Skills, Training Sessions, etc. Computer Labs & Lounge Veterans Affairs officials located within the building Student Veterans of America chapter Connections with National Veterans Groups such as:

VFW, American Legion, Team RWB, Team Rubicon, WWP Assistance with the Syracuse University VCTP Connections with local University/Colleges Connections with Veteran Job Placement agencies Connections with City of Jacksonville and Career Source Internship arrangements with local employers, including

FWEP and other employer cost-assistance programs.

Who we Serve:

Veterans (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines) Guardsmen Reservists Dependents of Veterans

Who we Serve:

All who are eligible for education benefits from US Department of Veterans Affairs

VA Programs Chapter 30 - MGIB Prior Active Duty Chapter 1606 - MGIB Selected Reserves Chapter 1607 - MGIB REAP Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 Chapter 35 - Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance

How We Help:

Certification of enrollment to the US Department of Veterans Affairs

Provide information related to military grants and scholarships

Provide information related to Tuition Assistance offered by military branches

Referral for services on-campus and in local community

Veterans Study Center:

Located at 940 North Main Street, Jacksonville FL 32202 For use by student veterans and those currently serving

on active duty Provides a place for students to gather and study and is a

venue for programs designed to assist student veterans.

Student Veterans of America:

A registered student organization and chapter of the national Student Veterans of America organization

Create and promote camaraderie among veteransGenerate awareness of veterans on campusConnect members with on-campus resources

needed for college successServe as a voice for student service members,

veterans, and their families on campus

On Campus

Educational bureaucracy, financial aid, VA benefit applications can be difficult.

Veterans may attempt too many credits to make up for lost time.

They are often reluctant to ask for help or to take advantage of counseling services.

Cannot relate to their peers in classrooms. Frustration or anger at professors and students who

vocalize anti-war sentiment

Why the Need to Know

The new Post 9/11 GI Bill will and is changing the face of campuses;

The new GI Bill will have the same effect that the original GI Bill post World War II had;

Many vets are returning with mental and physical disabilities or a combination of both;

Vets that would not have attended college prior to the new Post 9/11 GI Bill now will;

Colleges need to be ready, especially disability offices, counseling, and other support areas.

Academic areas will also be impacted.

The New Post 9/11 GI Bill

The Post 9/11 GI Bill was passed in 2008 and implementation began August 01, 2009.

Any soldier that has active duty time can be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Active duty time = percentage eligible for the GI Bill. Tuition and fees are paid at the eligibility rate.

Example 36 months of active duty service=100% The veteran also receives a housing allowance and

book stipend.

The New Post 9/11 GI Bill (continued)

Veteran benefits are no longer considered resources for financial aid purposes, as of July 01, 2009

The Post 9/11 GI Bill allows for transferability to dependents of veterans depending on Dept. of Defense eligibility requirements.

Schools may voluntarily enter into the Yellow Ribbon program with the VA to waive or match unmet need

In a “nutshell” this new GI Bill will increase the number of veterans returning to school and increase the need of services for the veteran.

Research Findings

Veterans self-select in/out of sectionDon’t want to be “special”Don’t want to continue military associationConcern for treatment as “different” in classAlienated from traditional undergrad popDo seek to learn/socialize with other VetsAre looking for administrative/academic support

from those “in the know”

Research Findings (continued)

A Veterans section encourages greater class participation, sharing of ideas, candid communication among peers (camaraderie)

Veterans are generally less well prepared academically, either due to lengthy absence from the academic environment or under-performance in secondary education

Best Practices

Orientation process expanded from what the military provides in Transition GPS.

Changes in institutional financial policies: flexible payment policies with payments deferred until benefits begin.

Ensure access to counseling and therapy groups on campus. Provide a space on campus where veterans can relax and hang

out together. Staff it with a work-study student veteran. Assist students with filling out complex paperwork. Train academic advisors in veteran needs and issues. Offer training to faculty about sensitivity in political discussions. Try to enlist full support for veterans’ programs from the top on

down.

Military-Friendly School Designation

Since the designations were created in 2009, Florida State College at Jacksonville has been named a military-friendly school by both GI Jobs and Military Advance Education magazines.

Thank you for your time!

Any questions?Visit http://www.fscj.edu/military-veterans/ Call 904-357-8890 or (Toll-Free) 1-800-700-2795Visit us at the historic FSCJ Main Street building:

940 North Main StreetJacksonville, FL 32202