G.V. “SONNY” MONTGOMERY

CENTER FOR AMERICA’S VETERANS

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERISTY

MAJOR TOPIC

Services Focused on the Special Needs of Today's Veterans,

Service-members, Dependents, And Survivors

(VSDS)

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.

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.

TOPICS Major Program

Scholarships

Student Tracking

University Veteran Friendly Programs

Veteran Issues

Lessons Learned

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.)

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.

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 AssociationA 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.

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

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

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

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

University Programs & Policies

Priority RegistrationGI Bill benefits recipients can register for class during the

1st 5 days of class registration with athletes and honor students

Yellow Ribbon SchoolSchool 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 Ono Waiving of application feeo Waiving of out of state tuition for Veterans

Veteran IssuesVeterans face several challenges when

they enroll or attempt to enroll in school.

Information Issueso Required Paper Worko Military Transfer Credit

Admission Issues

o Application / Application Feeso Orientationo Transcriptso ACT / SAT Scores

Veteran Issues Financial Aid Issueso FAFSAo Tax Documentso Receiving Money in a Timely Manner

Injury / Trauma Issueo Reluctant to Seek Helpo Apprehensive About Being Singled Outo PTSD / TBI Issues

General Transition Issueso Taking To Many Hourso Time Managemento Family Needs

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

OFFICE CONTACT

Ronnie White126 Magruder StreetP.O. Box 6283Mississippi State University662-325-6719Email: rwhite@saffairs.msstate.edu Web Site: www.veterans.msstate.edu