Soldiers 2 Scholars - University System of Georgia

Characteristics i of the Military Student– More mature - work and family responsibilities– Accustomed to disciplined i d work environment– First generation students– Lower and middle quartiles of socioeconomicstatus (underserved population)– Have financial aid“Creating A More Educated Georgia”3

Demographics780,000 Veterans• 32% female• 68% male• 74% are 20-34 years old• 37% are married“Creating A More Educated Georgia”5

How Does the GI BILLImpact the USG?70% of Georgia’s Veterans will useGI BILL benefitsState caps have been removed foramount GI bill will pay for educationActive duty and mobilizedreservists have $4500 / year intuition assistance“Creating A More Educated Georgia”6

Soldiers 2 Scholars• A consortium of USG institutions• Leverage military friendly schools• Meet unique military needs• Ultimately provide “onestop shopping”“Creating A More Educated Georgia”7

Soldiers 2 ScholarsProgram ParticipantsAtlanta Metropolitan CollegeAlbany State CollegeClayton State UniversityColumbus State UniversityDarton State CollegeFort Valley State UniversityGainesville State CollegeGeorgia Perimeter CollegeKennesaw State UniversityNorth Georgia College & State UniversityValdosta State University“Creating A More Educated Georgia”8

Understanding the Challenges• Active Duty– Withdrawal due todeployment– Being transferred beforedegree completion• Veterans– Readjustment to civilianlife, lack of camaraderieand structure, transitiondifficulties– Delay in GI Bill benefits“Creating A More Educated Georgia”9

Listening and Learning“Creating A More Educated Georgia”10

Soldiers 2 Scholars:What we are doing now!1. Establishing Military ResourceCenters• Answer questions• Help solve problems• Provide a place for vets to meet andshare experiences2. Identifying military/veteranstudents, faculty & staff oncampus“Creating A More Educated Georgia”11

S2S Missioni3. Giving credit for military training andeducation, PLA, transfer credit andCLEP tests4. Creating degree programs andcertificates5. Encouraging tutoring & mentoring byVets for Vets“Creating A More Educated Georgia”12

S2S Mission6. Training counselors and facultyto understand social, emotional,physical and academic challenges7. Offering convenient classes-- 5 & 8 week courses-- night, weekend and online classes“Creating A More Educated Georgia”13

S2S Mission8. Offering freshman experienceclasses/military learningcommunities9. Forming campus task force ofadministrators, faculty, staffand student veterans10. Examining BOR policies tobetter serve the military student“Creating A More Educated Georgia”14

“We are the Land of the Free…because of the Brave”“Creating A More Educated Georgia”15