Women Veterans face unique challenges when transitioning back into civilian culture. When that transition combines with a shift to life on a college campus, these challenges are further exacerbated.
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Barriers to assistance with financial issues (personal, V.A. policies, or family-related), having to navigate education benefits, lack of access to physical and mental health services, and general re-orientation into the civilian or academic world cause massive amounts of frustrations for student veterans.
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Student veterans are at an increased risk of having mental health challenges, including PTSD, thoughts of suicide, and feelings of displacement, all at a rate that far surpasses that of their student counterparts (Factsheets, 2018). These are significant factors that veterans may bring with them to campus which could cause them to drop courses.
Issues/Concerns
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Bad Conduct Discharges for PTSD/MST disqualify female veterans for education benefits
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Need to get discharge upgraded before they even can apply for benefits
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Confusing processes to access education benefits information
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Lack of mental health and transitional resources to assist veteran
Best Practices for Higher Educational Institutions:
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Create a central point of contact on campus for veterans (administrative)
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Provide a dedicated advisor for the veteran population
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Access to mental health services
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Establish a community of veterans, for veterans (center)
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Staff and faculty training
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Extended policies regarding transferable credit and credit for prior learning
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Specific tutor(s) who are experienced in on-campus and virtual classrooms
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Internal annual institutional review of veteran-specific services
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Veteran specific orientation
Resources: