Campus Veterans Centers

[Derek Blumke]

All,

Since the new GI Bill was signed into law in June, many have been
asking “what’s the next step?”

The answer is now that college has been made affordable, we must
ensure there are resources available to veterans once they arrive on
campus. This is one of the core missions of SVA, and we are excited
that there is currently legislation being discussed that would provide
federal grants to universities who establish “veterans’ centers of
excellence”, or one-stop-shops for veterans on campus. These centers
will provide a single point of contact for veterans to find out about
housing, financial aid, benefits, and other crucial items of interest.

The bill has been attached to the Higher Education and Reauthorization
Act, which is currently being discussed in conference and will
possibly move out of conference this week. There is a possibility
that it could be stripped from the Higher Education Act.

Think back on your first few weeks on campus. If you believe a one-
stop-shop would have made your transition easier, please call your
representative within the next two days and ask for them to urge
Chairman Miller to include “Section 883” in the Higher Education Act.

Many of the chancellors and university presidents SVA has spoken with
are supportive of veterans resource centers in theory, but cite the
lack of funds available for such support. This legislation would
provide colleges and universities with the funding needed to provide
desperately needed resources for student veterans on campus.

Again, thanks for all you do and we will have more updates for you in
the near future. Hope you are enjoying your summer, or are at least
enjoying looking out of your classroom window at the nice weather
outside.

Best,

-Derek

Derek Blumke
President
Student Veterans of America
derek....@studentveterans.org