University News
Veteran Benefits Workshops
November 6, 2006
MACOMB, IL – Two academic advisers at Western Illinois University are making it their goal to ensure that every man and woman who serves in the armed forces and reserve units makes use of the educational benefits they are entitled to as veterans.
“This began as an education process for me,” said Andi Potter, engineering technology adviser. “I wanted to find out all the resources and programs that students have access to as veterans to help the students in my program. It just grew from there.
“After meeting with groups of veterans we determined that the best approach was to provide a series of workshops to address issues for which they want additional information,” added Potter.
Western, along with WIU’s Veterans Club and Spoon River College, will sponsor the workshop “Paying for College – Financial Resources for Military Service,” from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 and from 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15 in the University Union Sandburg Theatre. Members of Western’s Financial Aid, Scholarship and Billing and Receivables offices will be available to explain the benefits and grants available through Veterans Assistance programs. Additionally, staff from the Financial Aid and Scholarship offices will present information on state and federal grants and scholarships available to all students.
Western Illinois UniversityÂ’s admission policy allows veterans special consideration for admissions under current guidelines. Undergraduate students, who may not have previously been admitted to the University, are now welcome due to their veteran status. With a population of more than
600 veteran students on MacombÂ’s campus, and more arriving each semester, academic advisers see a growing need for specialized services.
“We are seeing more and more students with particular needs and interests,” said Stacy Dorsett, law enforcement and justice administration and health sciences adviser. “What we are now working on is an outreach program. We want veterans to feel comfortable going to their advisers to ask questions and know that they will receive the right information. Coming back to school can be quite an eye opener. These students are not only dealing with adjusting to civilian life and returning to student life, they are still working with the federal government for their tuition, grants and benefits. This is definitely not an easy transition for those who served in any conflict area.”
What began as simple resource gathering has turned into a mission for Potter and Dorsett.
“It quickly became evident that not all students who are veterans are aware of programs in place to help. The number one concern we have found is financial,” said Potter. “Next are concerns about tutoring, counseling, organizations and nontraditional programs.”
According to Major Steve Rosson, chair of WesternÂ’s department of military science, all military personnel participate in a three-week long re-integration program prior to being released from active duty. However, he admits that situations and concerns may crop up long after those three weeks have passed.
“Some have described feeling impatient with their fellow students and uneasy about the return to being a student themselves,” said Dorsett. “Some are looking to connect with a service organization or a group where they feel comfortable and useful, and others just want to focus on being a student.”
For more information, contact Dorsett at 309/298-1438 or se-dorsett@wiu.edu or Potter at 309/298-2100 or ad-potter@wiu.edu.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: