Initiative OverviewA significant number of service members and veterans are students in higher education institutions. GI Bill benefits make it possible for many of them to enter or re-enter college or university. Both federal statutes and military enlistment incentives have created significant funding structures to assist veterans in paying for higher education, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill and forgiveness of student loans. There are many resources available to assist veterans in accessing and using financial assistance structures, including the Veterans Administration offices and Transition Assistance programs. In spite of these financial resources being available, both student service members and student veterans can experience delays or disruption in their pursuit of higher learning because of difficulties accessing benefits, barriers at institutions of higher learning, and multiple and continued deployments. With the support of Lilly Endowment Inc., Operation Diploma was created. Our goal is to help institutions and student veteran organizations implement policies and programs that assist student service members and veterans as they transition from combat to the classroom. |
