Who Are Our Vets?

Our Veterans Are:

Diverse! - More likely to:

• Be a first generation student
• Have first-hand global experiences
• Be older
• Working full or part-time
• Be married
• Have children

Successful! - Based on national averages for:

• GPA
  • 3.34 Average student Veterans GPA
  • 2.94 Average traditional student GPA
• College Completion
  • Student veteran completions rate: 53.6%
  • National completion rate: 52.6%
  • Adult learners (first enrolled at 25 years or older): 39.2%

Prepared!

• 73% of student veterans report that the military service experience promoted their interest in education
• 68% of service members surveyed stated that the military prepared them for higher education

Dispelling Myths - US Department of Veterans Affairs

Myth: Military Veterans are in need of charity

Fact: Most veterans return home with strong team building and leadership skills. When compared to the general population, veterans are more likely to volunteer in their communities after their military service. Most veterans are looking to give back to their communities.

Myth: All veterans have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Fact: About 11-20 out of every 100 veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom have PTSD in a given year. On the highest end of this estimate, majority of veterans do not have PTSD.  Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 Press 1

Myth: People with PTSD are dangerous

Fact: "Individuals with PTSD are not dangerous. Although PTSD is associated with an increased risk of violence, the majority of Veterans and non-Veterans with PTSD have never engaged in violence. When other factors like alcohol and drug misuse, additional psychiatric disorders, or younger age are considered, the association between PTSD and violence is decreased." - Research Findings On PTSD and Violence - US Department of Veterans Affairs

Myth: Veterans don't graduate from college

Fact: Veterans utilizing the GI Bill are completing degree programs at a rate (48%) similar to traditional Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS) in the general population cohort (49%). Women veterans utilizing the GI Bill benefit had a 5% higher completion rate compared to female traditional Beginning Postsecondary Students. When you factor in the additional demands on time (students with families, jobs, VA Appointments, etc...), veterans show high rates of persistence and grit in higher education.