While there is legislation on the books requiring colleges in West Virginia to be veteran-friendly, one higher education official said more can be done to accommodate former servicemen and women.
"There's already a lot of things we're doing," said L.G. Corder, director of veterans education and training programs for the state's Higher Education Policy Commission. "But we can continue to explore ways to improve."
And colleges are stepping up to that challenge.
This year, several university officials in West Virginia have pledged to increase support to student veterans as part of the 5 Star Challenge, which launched earlier this fall.
This week, all public four- and two-year institutions will accept the 5 Star Challenge, an initiative that calls for a set of veteran support standards including increased access and affordability, more academic support, enhanced social networks and collaboration with community organizations working to meet the needs of military service members.
"Our colleges accepting the challenge shows they are willing to extend a helping hand to veteran students," Corder said.
Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Paul Hill said accepting the challenge honors student veteran service.
"Their participation in this effort not only acknowledges a sincere commitment to meeting the unique needs of our student veterans, but also results in real policies that will provide tangible benefits to military service members who are pursuing higher education," he said in a statement.
It also lets them know they are welcome, Corder added.
According to Higher Education Policy Commission enrollment data, West Virginia has about 2,700 student veterans. Corder, an army veteran himself, said each college already has resources on campus like tutoring and health care services. While those are crucial to veteran students, Corder said one area in need of improvement is registration.
The 5 Star Challenge calls for colleges to give veteran students priority registration status, which would allow them to sign up for classes early.
"That's a big one," Corder said, adding that veterans can fall into a trap during registration if a class they need is not available.
Corder said if a student is unable to enroll in a class they need, and instead signs up for something else, they could have to reimburse the federal government, which pays for tuition through the G.I. Bill. That could become problematic, he said, considering G.I. Bill benefits are good for 36 months.
"Generally, that's enough to get you through a degree," he said.
While other veterans benefits can extend that timeframe, Corder said priority registration would ensure veterans can finish their degrees on time.
According to research by Student Veterans of America, a military veterans advocacy group, about 52 percent of former servicemen and women complete their degrees. The graduation rate for first-time, full-time students is about 59 percent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
The study was the first in-depth look at student veterans.
While it found student veterans are less likely to finish school compared to their usually younger, traditional peers, Corder said the graduation rate could soon change. He also said degree completion data for West Virginia should be available in the near future.
The 5 Star Challenge was started by the Office of Veterans Education and Training Programs for the Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System of West Virginia. In addition to issuing the challenge, both governing bodies say they are committed to providing additional resources to help student veterans to successfully get through college.
"Accepting the 5 Star Challenge is a way for us to acknowledge their contributions and sacrifices," said Sarah Tucker, chancellor of the state's community college system.
Several university officials will accept the challenge today during ceremonies, during which student veterans will present school officials with challenge coins.
Reach Samuel Speciale at sam.speciale@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-7939 or follow @samueljspeciale on Twitter.