"Every year on Veterans Day, we pause to honor those who have served our country-but our gratitude must extend beyond a single day of reflection. One of the most powerful ways to repay veterans' service is through education, a goal long supported by the general public and Republican and Democratic administrations alike. Student veterans bring leadership, discipline and unique experiences to college campuses; their postsecondary success strengthens both our communities and economies."
"Yet despite their proven academic potential and deep motivation to earn a degree, too many veterans face unnecessary barriers to completing college. At Ithaka S+R, we've reported on the value of enrolling and supporting student veterans and the unique challenges these students face in getting to and through higher education, for several years running. From underresourced institutions to opaque transfer processes and predatory recruitment practices, these obstacles result in lower bachelor's degree attainment among veterans compared to their civilian peers."
"Right now, policy and appropriations decisions (including the current government shutdown) could undermine the progress the country has made in providing educational opportunities for our veterans. As we celebrate Veterans Day, it's time for higher education leaders and policymakers to renew their commitment to supporting those who've served. Here are three developing situations that we're monitoring for their potential impact on student veterans."
Education offers a powerful pathway for repaying veterans' service, with student veterans contributing leadership, discipline, and unique experiences that strengthen communities and economies. Many veterans demonstrate strong academic potential and deep motivation but encounter avoidable barriers to degree completion. Primary obstacles include underresourced institutions, opaque transfer processes, and predatory recruitment practices, which contribute to lower bachelor's degree attainment compared with civilian peers. Veterans Upward Bound is a federally funded TRIO program supporting more than 8,000 veterans through 60-plus campus-based programs providing instruction, tutoring, and counseling, and has proven highly effective. Current policy and appropriations choices, including a government shutdown, risk undermining veterans' educational opportunities and require renewed commitment and monitoring by higher education leaders and policymakers.
#veteran-education #veterans-upward-bound #higher-education-policy #transfer-and-enrollment-barriers
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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