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Programs would assist troops’ school transition

A Cleveland State University professor, backed by more than 20 colleges and universities and a major veterans group, is trying to pry millions of dollars out of Congress to improve the odds that veterans who start college don’t drop out.

John Schupp, who became interested in helping veterans after a student who had served in Kosovo spoke about problems adjusting to college life, wants Congress to provide grants of about $1 million each to 10 institutions that create programs to help veterans succeed in school.

Congress authorized “centers of excellence” for student veterans as part of the Higher Education Act of 2008, which became law last summer, but set aside no money to pay for the programs intended to coordinate the academic, financial, physical and social needs of veterans.

Schupp said veterans need help making the transition from an orderly military life to a less-orderly academic environment, and might do better in classes with other veterans for at least their first year of college.

“A unit mentality takes over,” he said. “They work together to study and get the task done, which is what they do in the military.”

To make this work, Schupp said funding could be phased in over three years, perhaps $400,000 the first year, $300,000 the second year and $200,000 the third year.

The money would be used for a one-stop veterans center to help with admissions procedures, finding tutors and using veterans assistance programs. Schupp said he also envisions counselors and other services being provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The center also would provide monitoring for veterans who are having problems and are at risk of dropping out.

Supporters are calling the program Supportive Education of Returning Veterans, or SERV.

Schupp’s effort has the backing of AmVets, one of the nation’s largest veterans groups. The group says the SERV concept is especially important now, since the Post-9/11 GI Bill poised to take effect in August likely will put many more veterans on college campuses by this fall.

“We are only asking for $10 million, just enough to get started,” said Raymond Kelley, AmVets national legislative director. “It is in the veteran’s interest and the nation’s interest that someone who starts college can finish college.”

It is unclear whether money would come from the Education Department — which is what Schupp would prefer — or the VA, which has a greater stake in the success of the new GI Bill but has not been involved in campus programs aside from paying for tuition.

VA does not track how many GI Bill users complete a college degree, but it does track usage of GI Bill benefits. Those numbers show that only about 8 percent of veterans use their full benefits to attend four years of college.