Tag Archives: education

Colleges and universities offer training in working with veterans’ transitions

Posted on by Chris

An increasing number of colleges are offering courses in the practice of working with and aiding veterans as they transition from military life in Iraq and Afghanistan to their civilian lives at home. These courses vary in length and depth, from short seminars to entire graduate programs, such as the new military social work Master’s program at the University of Southern California (USC). Other examples of courses and programs include a certification program in military culture and counseling at the University of South Florida in Tampa, two courses at the University of Washington-Tacoma (one on military culture and one titled ‘Social Work Practice with Military Personnel and Veterans’), and a course/internship program at the University of North Carolina. These courses focus on the struggles unique to veterans in their transitions to civilian life, and particularly the treatment of war-related mental health problems.

“I think across the nation, a lot of schools of social work have concluded that we need to do something,” says Jose Coll, director of USC’s military social work program.

Read the full article here.

Reported delays in GI Bill aid widespread

Posted on by Chris

Since the new GI Bill went into effect, the VA has received 277,000 applications for educational assistance, of which nearly 200,000 have been approved. However, several weeks into the fall semester, only 61,000 payments have been issued, leaving a huge gap of students waiting on delayed payments.

“The GI Bill is a mess,” said Rutgers University-Camden freshman Robeen Billings, 24, a former naval electronics technician. “I’m struggling because my first semester is not paid. I’m commuting from Newark to Camden, living off my credit card.”

The VA has responded by issuing emergency payments of up to $3000 to students who have yet to receive their approved GI Bill educational assistance checks.  These checks will be dispensed at regional VA offices beginning tomorrow,  Friday, Oct. 2, 2009; a student must bring his or her photo ID and a course schedule. More details about the emergency payments can be found here.

Read the full article here.