Back To School

Veterans comprise an increasing percentage of the student body at four-year colleges and universities, owing to advancements made in access to funding, comprehensive financial aid packages, and robust outreach programs seeking to diversify college campuses. Unfortunately, veterans face unique challenges transitioning to four-year colleges and universities in terms of retention and degree completion, financial insecurity, and mental health needs. A usual source of relief is the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which provides government funding to veterans returning to school, but which also imposes restrictions on when and how such funds may be used. Consequently, a student veteran who has been away from the schooling environment for an extended period may feel pressured to finish a degree program at an accelerated pace for financial reasons. Next, research has shown that student veterans experience a high prevalence of symptoms of mental health problems, which, without adequate resources and support, can detract from academic performance. This Article explores the barriers * Associate, Financial Services Group, Dechert LLP. J.D., University of Southern California Gould School of Law, 2015; M.B.A., University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, 2015; B.A., Cornell University, 2011. This article was authored in connection with the Saks Institute of Mental Health, Law, Policy and Ethics. Special thanks to my family and the many student veterans who agreed to be interviewed for this article. REVIEW OF LA WAND SOCIAL JUSTICE [Vol. 25:3 that existing campus programs face in terms of serving a student veteran's best interests. This Article argues that academic departments must be acutely aware of the financial and social circumstances of student veterans, and proposes that colleges and universities offer transition courses, tailored academic plans, and flexible re-enrollment policies. By acknowledging the unique challenges faced by student veterans and facilitating their pursuit of post-secondary education, academic departments can boost retention and degree completion rates among a talented and qualified segment of the student population.