Spring 2022
Committee:
Legislative Affairs Committee
WHEREAS, veterans must enroll full-time to receive their full GI Benefits or receive partial benefits while facing challenges in transition from the military and of typical non-traditional students; and
WHEREAS, 62% of veterans in community college are first-generation students[1], 19% higher than 43% of students who attend community college[2], and they enroll at a 75% full-time rate[1] comparatively to a 28.6% full-time rate of other students[2] to receive their full benefit, and this reflects that veteran students have little choice
reduce their workload to accommodate their unique non-traditional path or challenges they face from their service[3]; and
WHEREAS, student veterans reported difficulties transitioning from a military style of technical learning and a hierarchical organizational structure to a university learning environment causes troubles with retention while also facing challenges[3]; and
WHEREAS, military service members and veterans relocate often due to service, and these frequent moves made it challenging for veterans to establish residency in any one state for purposes of qualifying for in-state tuition rates at public institutions; and now, therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocates to change the GI Bill requirements to 9 units from 12 units to offset the foreseeable challenges nearly all veteran students will face that inhibits their success and retention in higher education, while allowing a smoother transition into education from service; and
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocates to allow the GI Bill to grant in-state tuition for veteran students utilizing the bill for their education so that their transition is not halted from unaffordability of out-of-state tuition costs after relocation after service; and
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocates to extend GI Bill coverage from 36 months to 48 months to accommodate the change to 9 units, to allow veterans to be covered over the duration of their academic career and to accommodate for the extended time it takes non-traditional students to complete their higher education journey.
Citation 1: https://pnpi.org/veterans-in-higher-education/
Citation 2:https://ccleague.org/sites/default/files/pdf/state-advocacy/2020_fast_facts.pdf
Citation 3:
https://www.research.va.gov/currents/1017-Veterans-face-challenges-in-higher-education.cfm#:~:text=The%20college%20 experience%20presents%20 challenges,their%20peers% 20without%20military%20experience
WHEREAS, 62% of veterans in community college are first-generation students[1], 19% higher than 43% of students who attend community college[2], and they enroll at a 75% full-time rate[1] comparatively to a 28.6% full-time rate of other students[2] to receive their full benefit, and this reflects that veteran students have little choice
reduce their workload to accommodate their unique non-traditional path or challenges they face from their service[3]; and
WHEREAS, student veterans reported difficulties transitioning from a military style of technical learning and a hierarchical organizational structure to a university learning environment causes troubles with retention while also facing challenges[3]; and
WHEREAS, military service members and veterans relocate often due to service, and these frequent moves made it challenging for veterans to establish residency in any one state for purposes of qualifying for in-state tuition rates at public institutions; and now, therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocates to change the GI Bill requirements to 9 units from 12 units to offset the foreseeable challenges nearly all veteran students will face that inhibits their success and retention in higher education, while allowing a smoother transition into education from service; and
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocates to allow the GI Bill to grant in-state tuition for veteran students utilizing the bill for their education so that their transition is not halted from unaffordability of out-of-state tuition costs after relocation after service; and
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocates to extend GI Bill coverage from 36 months to 48 months to accommodate the change to 9 units, to allow veterans to be covered over the duration of their academic career and to accommodate for the extended time it takes non-traditional students to complete their higher education journey.
Citation 1: https://pnpi.org/veterans-in-higher-education/
Citation 2:https://ccleague.org/sites/default/files/pdf/state-advocacy/2020_fast_facts.pdf
Citation 3:
https://www.research.va.gov/currents/1017-Veterans-face-challenges-in-higher-education.cfm#:~:text=The%20college%20 experience%20presents%20 challenges,their%20peers% 20without%20military%20experience