1. Expanding the Support for our Veteran
Students
The Military & Veterans Service Center
at
Scott Gemmill
904-997-2503
sgemmill@fscj.edu
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/pub/scott-gemmill/1a
3. 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.
4. Who we Serve:
Veterans (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines)
Guardsmen
Reservists
Dependents of Veterans
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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.
8. Student Veterans of America:
A registered student organization and chapter of
the national Student Veterans of America
organization
Create and promote camaraderie among veterans
Generate awareness of veterans on campus
Connect members with on-campus resources
needed for college success
Serve as a voice for student service members,
veterans, and their families on campus
9. 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
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Research Findings
Veterans self-select in/out of section
Don’t want to be “special”
Don’t want to continue military association
Concern for treatment as “different” in class
Alienated from traditional undergrad pop
Do seek to learn/socialize with other Vets
Are looking for administrative/academic support
from those “in the know”
14. 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
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Thank you for your time!
Any questions?
Visit http://www.fscj.edu/military-veterans/
Call 904-357-8890 or (Toll-Free) 1-800-700-2795
Visit us at the historic FSCJ Main Street building:
940 North Main Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
