Abstract: As we conclude close to a decade of involvement in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, colleges and universities are experiencing a steady increase in the enrollment of student veterans. As a result, many institutions have developed specific programs and services designed to enhance veteran success in higher education. However, recent data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) show that only a small percentage of veterans use all of their federal education benefits; the federal government does not track veteran retention or completion rates. Some institutions of higher education have created comprehensive evaluation plans to determine the measurable outcomes of their programs, but currently most measures of success for veteran-specific programs and services are anecdotal and qualitative. Although additional research is necessary before certain practices can be deemed "best" practices, one thing is clear: the recently enacted post-9/ 11 GI Bill is an incredibly attractive benefit for service members, veterans and their families, and we should anticipate that these populations will only continue to increase on our campuses over the next several years.
While most individuals achieve the transition to civilian life smoothly, some face significant challenges. Although numerous support services are available to those who need them, …