Services Focused on the Special Needs of Today’s Veterans, Service-members, Dependents, and Survivors Nacada Region 4 Miami 2014

1. G.V. “SONNY” MONTGOMERY
CENTER FOR AMERICA’S
VETERANS
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERISTY

2. MAJOR TOPIC
Services Focused on the Special
Needs of Today's
Veterans, Service-
members, Dependents, And
Survivors
(VSDS)

3. ESTABLISHED
The University’s G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center
for America’s Veterans was established in the fall
of 2006. The Center’s goal is to provide
comprehensive student support services to
veterans, service members, dependents, and
survivors. Unique in its mission and goals, one of
the center’s aims is to help foster similar
programs throughout the higher education
community.

4. MISSION STATEMENT
To support the mission of the Division of
Student Affairs through the development and
implementation of outreach and transition
programs designed to provide student support
services focused on the special needs and
requirements of today’s military
veterans, service members, dependents, and
survivors.

5. TOPICS
 Major Program
 Scholarships
 Student Tracking
 University Veteran Friendly Programs
 Veteran Issues
 Lessons Learned

6. MAJOR PROGRAMS
 Transition Program
Provide transition assistance services to VSDS to ease the
transition from military to college life. The program consists of the
following:
o Veterans Transition Program
VTAC- Veterans Transition to Academic Classes
VSDS Workshop Sessions – Once a Month
VA Benefits Claims Representative – Once a Month
o Career Transition Program
Career Center Partnership
Career Counselor – Once a Month
o Family Assistance Program
Family Needs (Housing, Day Care, Employment, and
Emergencies, etc.)

7. MAJOR PROGRAMS
 Outreach Program
Provide outreach services to VSDS students through an
aggressive recruiting and retention program. Work with
public, private, and non-profit organizations to fund incentive programs
to support recruiting and retention goals. Other outreach initiatives
include contact with Active, Reserve, and National Guard
Units, attending college fairs, and conducting veteran education and
assistance nights throughout the state and region.
 Comprehensive Benefit Counseling Program
Through a series of intake interviews and counseling
sessions, the Center staff assists VSDS students in determining their
financial, academic, and other needs.

8. MAJOR PROGRAMS
 Veteran Work Study Program
The program is designed to offer part time work to veterans,
service members, dependents and survivors who are currently
receiving VA educational benefits.
 Student Government Member
Veteran Affairs Student Government Cabinet Member
 Student Veteran Association
A student led organization established to help VSDS
students have a voice on campus, network with other campus
organizations, build relationships and get involved in community
projects.

9. SCHOLARSHIPS
 Center For America’s Veterans Scholarship
o Started with Wal-Mart Foundation $100,000 Donation in
the Spring of 2009
o Receive donations from other agencies and individuals
to use for scholarships
o Awarded between $20,000 and $25,000 each year in
scholarships
o Scholarships are awarded per year in the amount of
$1,000, $800, and $500

10. SCHOLARSHIPS
 Pat Tillman Foundation
o Partnered with the Pat Tillman Foundation in the Fall of
2009. Since then 15 students have received a total of
$158,000 in scholarships.
o Currently have 7 students receiving $52,000.
 Russell Gains Scholarship
o Scholarship started in the Spring of 2010
o Awarded five veterans $2,000 each per year

11. STUDENT TRACKING
 Accomplished through the Entrance Application
 Automatically entered into the VSDS database
 Reports generated based on attribute
characteristics
 2093 Student Veterans, Service-
members, Dependents, and Survivors at Mississippi
State
(This is 10% of Total Student Population)
 625 Students receiving some type of GI Bill
Benefits

12. University Programs &
Policies
 Mobilization Policy
o Mobilization- Student has 3 options
• Withdraw with full refund (no grade)
• Leave after ¾ term, take the final within 90 days of
return or if possible while deployed in independent
study (decided by individual and professor)
• Leave after the ¾ term mark, the student can take
their current grade

13. University Programs &
Policies
 Priority Registration
GI Bill benefits recipients can register for class during the 1st
5 days of class registration with athletes and honor students
 Yellow Ribbon School
School sponsors 35 students for 1/2 of their out of state
tuition (VA will pay the other ½) Yellow Ribbon will be unlimited
next year
 Incentives Working On
o Waiving of application fee
o Waiving of out of state tuition for Veterans

14. Veteran Issues
Veterans face several challenges when
they enroll or attempt to enroll in school.
 Information Issues
o Required Paper Work
o Military Transfer Credit
 Admission Issues
o Application / Application Fees
o Orientation
o Transcripts
o ACT / SAT Scores

15. Veteran Issues
 Financial Aid Issues
o FAFSA
o Tax Documents
o Receiving Money in a Timely Manner
 Injury / Trauma Issue
o Reluctant to Seek Help
o Apprehensive About Being Singled Out
o PTSD / TBI Issues
 General Transition Issues
o Taking To Many Hours
o Time Management
o Family Needs

16. Lessons Learned
 Staff and Faculty Education (Workshops)
 Use all available resources
 Do not forget about dependents and survivors
 Remember the word “Transition”
 Get students involved with Student Veteran
Organization and other events on campus
 Identify veterans, service-member, dependents,
and survivor through admissions

17. OFFICE CONTACT
Ronnie White
126 Magruder Street
P.O. Box 6283
Mississippi State University
662-325-6719
Email: rwhite@saffairs.msstate.edu
Web Site: www.veterans.msstate.edu