By 2020, more than 5 million post-9/11 service members will transition from the military into civilian life. Many will enter the workforce, while others will use the GI Bill to earn their bachelor’s or graduate degrees.
Your college or university needs to begin recruiting more veterans now. These students bring necessary diversity to the classroom by possessing experience most civilians can’t understand. Plus, while fewer students are earning a postsecondary education, institutions can compensate by enrolling service members who already come with governmental subsidies.
Given the right support services, veterans — with their characteristic grit — will stay in school, graduate and become loyal alumni. But how can you attract this much-needed group?
Become More Than Veteran-Friendly
Service members are told with extreme specificity what to do, how to do it and when to do it, making higher education’s focus on giving students choices overwhelming. Admissions offices should recognize this change and tailor separate recruitment strategies to aid veterans in the process of selecting schools, applying, enrolling and deciding which programs to study.
To begin, make sure your school’s admissions website has a prominent link that leads directly to informational materials for degree-seeking vets. Also, make sure the forms and applications are clear. Instead of asking, “Are you a veteran?” you should inquire, “Do you serve or have you ever served in the United States military?” because some former service members don’t self-identify as veterans even though they can still benefit from the educational assistance offered.
Your admissions staff needs to be knowledgeable about its institution’s specific funding and services for veterans. At many institutions, the only person who knows these details is the vet benefits administrator, but admissions counselors should have a working knowledge of the benefits and services offered so they can engage with potential veteran students.
