WASHINGTON (Aug. 29, 2013) – The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today it is expanding the availability of services through the VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program to an additional 62 new locations this fall – bringing the number of VSOC schools across the country to 94.
“VetSuccess on Campus is an innovative approach to help Veterans in the often difficult transition from military service to academic life,” said Allison A. Hickey, VA’s Under Secretary for Benefits. “Placing experienced VA counselors directly on college campuses strengthens VA’s partnership with institutions of higher learning and creates myriad opportunities to help Veterans succeed.”
This expansion triples the number of on-campus VA vocational rehabilitation counselors available to help ease Veterans’ transition to student life and assist them in achieving their educational and career goals through VA’s Post-9/11 GI Bill and other education benefit programs.
The counselors maintain close relationships with local VA Vet Centers and VA medical facilities, referring Veterans as needed for counseling or medical services and providing assistance enrolling in and applying for VA medical and nonmedical benefits. Partner schools provide on-campus office space for the VA counselors.
Since the inception of the Post-9/11 GI Bill four years ago, VA has issued about $30 billion in payments to help nearly 1 million Servicemembers, Veterans and family members pursue their education.
VA has signed agreements with the following schools as part of the FY13 expansion:
1. American River College (CA)
2. Austin Community College (TX)
3. Austin Peay State University – Clarksville (TN)
4. Bellevue University (NE)
5. Bluegrass Community College (KY)
6. California State University – Long Beach
7. California State University – Los Angeles
8. Central Texas College
9. Citrus College (CA)
10. East Carolina University
11. ECPI University (VA)
12. Florida International University
13. Florida State College at Jacksonville
14. Florida State University
15. George Mason (VA)
16. George Washington University (DC)
17. Harrisburg Area Community College (PA)
18. Hawaii Pacific University
19. Houston Community College (TX)
20. Irvine Valley College (VA)
21. Johnson County Comm. College (KS)
22. LA City College (CA)
23. Leeward Community College (HI)
24. Liberty University (VA)
25. Lone Star College System – University Park (TX)
26. Long Beach City College (CA)
27. Middlesex Community College (NJ)
28. Midlands Technical College (SC)
29. Mira Costa College (CA)
30. Mt. San Antonio College (CA)
31. Northern Virginia Community College- Alexandria
32. Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale
33. Northwest Arkansas College
34. Northwest Florida State College
35. The Ohio State University
36. Old Dominion University (VA)
37. Pasadena City College (CA)
38. Portland Community College (OR)
39. Rutgers (NJ)
40. Saddleback College (CA)
41. San Antonio College (TX)
42. Santa Fe Community College (FL)
43. Southwestern Illinois College
44. St. Leo University
45. Syracuse University
46. Tallahassee Community College (FL)
47. Texas A&M University
48. Troy University (AL)
49. University of Alabama
50. University of Arkansas
51. University of Cincinnati (OH)
52. University of Florida
53. University of Houston (TX)
54. University of Illinois (Champaign)
55. University of Hawaii – Manoa
56. University of Kentucky
57. University of Nebraska
58. University of Nevada – Las Vegas
59. University of Texas – Arlington
60. University of West Florida
61. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
62. Webster University – St. Louis (MO)
VSOC began in June 2009 with a pilot at the University of South Florida and expanded to San Diego State University and Cleveland State within six months. The program continued to grow with five additional locations in 2011 and 24 by 2012.
Partner schools are selected for the size of their student Veteran population and proximity to a VA Regional Office, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service office, Vet Center or VA medical center, among other factors.
For more information on the VetSuccess program, go to http://www.vetsuccess.gov.