Helping Returning Veterans Transition to College And get their Financial Aid, too! Adapted for CCCSFAAA 2015 Conference Deborah Griffin Director, Financial Aid and Veteran Affairs Ohlone College dgriffin@ohlone.edu Disclaimer This information comes from a variety of sources. Please be patient if you heard some of this before today. Feel free to ask questions or make comments as we go along. Student Veterans Not your Average College Student Different life experiences (military training, deployments, etc.) May have more responsibilities (spouse, kids, military duties) Non traditional May be struggling with after effects of deployments (emotional, physical, social, and occupational) 1
When a service member comes home, he/she may find it hard...... to listen to his son whine about being bored. 5... to keep from ridiculing someone who complains about hot weather. 5 2
... to be understanding when a co-worker or class mate complains about a bad night's sleep. 5... to be tolerant of people who complain about the hassle of getting ready for work. 5... to be sympathetic when someone says how hard it is to have a new baby in the house. 5 3
to control her emotions when she hears someone say that the war is about oil. 5... to control his panic when his wife tells him he needs to drive slower. 5... to be happy for a friend's new hot tub. 5 4
to sleep through the night. 5 to forget the things he has seen and done. 5 to feel comfortable with a stranger behind her. 5 5
... to be civil to people who complain about their schoolwork. 5 not to startle to loud noises. 5 to make new friends. 5 6
to remember what it was like to be carefree. 5 Coming Home: After Effects of a Deployment Physical Injuries/Conditions Major trauma injuries: gunshot wounds, shrapnel etc. Hearing problems: hearing loss, ringing in ears Orthopedic injuries: chronic pain due to joint and muscularskeletal injuries in back, knees, shoulders, wrists Respiratory illnesses: sand, dust Skin conditions: rashes, bacterial infections 7
Combat Stress Injuries 6-7 Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: 15% Psychosocial Problems (e.g., readjustment, financial, housing, family strain, occupational): 13% Anxiety Disorders: 6% Depression: 5-13% Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 13 to 25%, compared to 3.5-7% in general population NOTE: 75-87% do not have PTSD! Substance Use/Misuse: 5 to 15% Typical War Zone Stress reactions 8 Problems concentrating, easily distracted Hypervigilance / exaggerated startle response Difficulty relating to others Sleep disturbance Diminished interest in activities Some nightmares and intrusive thoughts/memories Increased irritability and anger outbursts Avoidance: driving, crowds, news, talk of war For most veterans, these symptoms decrease over time, with or without treatment. Typical Readjustment Challenges Interpersonal Lack of purpose (missing meaning/honor commitment to unit inherent in job as soldiers) May feel different from others and believe that others may not understand Social isolation May feel estranged from family/friends, unable to relate to classmates/peers Irritability/angry outbursts Can instill fear in others, causing conflict at home and at work Family Adjustment to different roles and expectations Lack of Housing/inadequate housing arrangements Occupational Unemployment / underemployment Job dissatisfaction 8
What You May See in Your Veterans: Student may have difficulty concentrating during class and be easily distracted; which may interfere with the student s ability to learn Student may be uncomfortable around unfamiliar people and in unfamiliar surroundings Student may sit away from windows and in back of class and be reluctant to speak up in class Chronic pain difficult to sit for long periods of time Reluctance to ask for assistance (pride / feeling inadequate) Student may be sensitive to war references and may withdraw or become confrontational when the topic is brought up. http://extranet.cccco.edu/divisions/studentservices/vets.aspx www.ebenefits.va.gov 9
Veterans & Financial Aid Challenge: Get Student Veterans to Apply Pride Reluctant to apply - Feel grant belongs to someone else guilt Overwhelmed by process / not sure how to start Conflicts with the I can do it myself attitude Help = Weakness Family issues and responsibilities Challenge: Get Student Veterans to follow through to complete financial aid file Forget to submit necessary forms Get overwhelmed and walk away Confusion over forms Feeling inadequate not being able to complete the process Veterans & Financial Aid Ways to Support Veterans: Create welcoming and supportive environment Connect veterans with other veterans Peer support Outreach to veterans provide concise information Be responsive to questions Student may need increased encouragement and guidance Veterans are accustomed to receiving direct orders and specific instructions Student may lack organizational skills and require additional assistance Veterans & Financial Aid FAFSA Completion Workshops Set aside special days and times for student veterans Make the workshops hands-on Encourage Veteran Club officers to assist 10
Our Proud Veterans! Ohlone College Student Veterans Veteran and Veteran Dependent Students Enrolled: Fall 2014: 98 Students Fall 2013: 121 Students Fall 2012: 116 Students These numbers reflect students receiving VA educational benefits, the number may not be inclusive of all veterans on campus Ohlone Student Veterans Club Provide a support structure for veterans adjusting to Ohlone College Help ease the transition to college campus Raise awareness of veterans issues Work with College administration to meet the needs of student veterans http://www.ohlone.edu/org/veterans/ www.facebook.com/ohlone college veterans 11
Ohlone Student Veterans Club Developed by OCV Executive Committee Effective method to communicate to Veterans Post events and announcements http://www.halfofus.com/situation/veteran-issues/ Ohlone Student Veterans Center Remaining hopeful! Construction on campus hope to be part of plan 12
Resources at Ohlone College Deborah Griffin Director, Financial Aid & Veterans Services Ohlone Student Veterans Club Advisor 510-659-6151. dgriffin@ohlone.edu Trang Banh VA Certifying Official 510-659-6199, tbahn@ohlone.edu Process VA benefits, verify eligibility of benefits Updates Veterans web page http://www.ohlone.edu/org/veterans/ Resources Ohlone College Ann Burdett Director DSPS Rosemary O Neil, M.A., MFT, Life Coach Certified Coordinator, Personal Counseling & Life Coach Services Jesse MacEwan Academic Counselor Tommy Bandy, President, Ohlone Veterans Club Remember Veterans are a heterogeneous group with a wide-range of capabilities, temperaments and experience Some individuals endure extreme conditions with relatively few negative effects, while others are more sensitive to traumatic events Regardless of your opinion regarding a specific military campaign, veterans deserve recognition and appreciation Almost all will be happy to hear that you appreciate their service 13
References 3 "GI Blues" http://chronicle.com/free/v51/i36/36a03101.htm 4 Department of Defense Deployments, as of Oct. 31, 2007 Reference: http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/statesum/riss.asp 5 Majority of photos and captions come from chain emails 6 Seal, K.H., Bertenthal, D., Miner, C.R., Saunak, S., & Marmar, C. (2007). Bringing the War Back Home, Archives of Internal Medicine, 167, 476-482. 7 Milliken, C.S., Auchterlonie, J.L., & Hoge, C.W.(November 14, 2007). Longitudinal Assessment of Mental Health Problems among Active and Reserve Component Solders Returning from the Iraq War. JAMA, 298 (18), 2141-2148. 8 Whealin, J.M. (2004). Warzone-related stress reactions: What veterans need to know. A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet. Iraq War Clinician Guide. Department of Veteran s Affairs, National Center for PTSD. Deborah Griffin Director, Financial Aid and Veteran Affairs Ohlone College dgriffin@ohlone.edu 14