The Benefits of Joining a Student Veterans Association on Campus

If you're attending college as a military student (or plan to in the near future), then you may seek some additional support as you make this significant life transition. The good news is schools are offering more resources for veteran students than ever before, ranging from support groups to established student veterans associations (SVAs).

Specifically, an SVA is an organization where United States military veterans can meet on campus, support one another, prepare for career transitions, and advocate for issues that are important to them.

Why join an SVA as a student veteran? There are numerous benefits to consider, as detailed below.

Academic Support for Veterans

Many SVAs offer dedicated resources for veterans needing academic support as they transition to the civilian classroom.

Tutoring Services

Tutoring services for writing, math, science, and other coursework can help veteran students better understand and master challenging concepts in their classes. Not to mention, learning from a tutor who is also a military veteran can help students feel more comfortable and at ease.

Study Groups

Dedicated study groups provide a welcoming and safe environment for veteran students to connect with others while holding themselves accountable for their academic responsibilities.

Academic Advising

With academic advisors readily available to help navigate the world of credit hour requirements and prerequisites, veteran students can get the guidance they need to plan out each semester of enrollment with confidence.

Veteran and Military Networking Opportunities

In addition, SVAs are an ideal way for veteran students to meet and form meaningful relationships with others—including other fellow veterans, mentors, and professionals within their discipline.

Connecting With Fellow Veterans

College can be an isolating experience for those without support systems in place, which is why joining an SVA is an excellent way to meet fellow veterans who might just turn into close friends, too.

Professional Networking and Career Fairs

SVAs are also a go-to source of professional networking opportunities. SVA chapters, for example, may hold career fairs or other unique events where veterans can meet with potential employers or other industry leaders.

Mentorship Programs

SVAs can be a source of mentorship programs specifically geared toward veteran students. Having a mentor as you transition from military life to a civilian career can help you enter your field with greater confidence once it's time to graduate.

Sense of Community

Being part of an SVA while in college can also help veterans build and create a sense of community, which can help them feel more welcome and supported throughout their college experience.

Building Friendships

Many college students simply cannot relate to the experience of being a veteran student or having served in the military. By joining an SVA on campus, you'll have the unique opportunity to build meaningful friendships with other veteran students who have had similar life experiences.

Supportive Environment

SVAs strive to provide the most supportive and welcoming environment for veteran students so they feel valued and encouraged throughout the college experience. This can help veteran students stay motivated and more dedicated to their programs of study.

Shared Experiences

There's just something special about being part of a campus group where everybody has the shared experience of having served in the military. These groups are close-knit and genuinely understand what other members have gone through, as well as the specific experience of adjusting to civilian life.

Family-Friendly Events

Some SVAs host fun events throughout the year where families of veterans can visit campus and participate in special happenings. These events can bond veteran families together while providing a memorable experience for students.

Access to Resources

Navigating the college experience as a veteran student can come with its own inherent challenges, but SVAs often have dedicated resources to help students overcome common obstacles.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

Paying for college is a common concern among veteran students, especially those who have not explored the extent of their military benefits. An SVA may have resources to help veteran students understand and apply their military education benefits to pay for school, along with insights into scholarships and other financial aid opportunities.

Health and Wellness Resources

For veteran students who may need physical exams, sick visits, or mental health resources, an SVA can be a great option. These chapters sometimes have their own dedicated health and wellness resources—and if they don't, they can at least refer members to on-campus clinics or other local clinics.

Housing Assistance

Looking for an apartment that will meet your needs in college? What about an on-campus dorm or other housing? An SVA can help veteran students navigate the process of determining which type of housing they need, how to secure a place, and everything in between.

Leadership Development for Veterans

A student veteran organization can be an excellent resource for military veterans who wish to develop their leadership skills for future job opportunities.

Leadership Roles Within the SVA

Within an on-campus SVA, there may be leadership roles available for veteran students to practice and sharpen their skills while gaining valuable experience. For instance, veteran students may move from member status to being members of an SVA's leadership team.

Public Speaking Opportunities

SVAs occasionally deliver speeches or make presentations to discuss key topics related to the veteran community, so these can serve as opportunities for veteran students to develop their public speaking skills while spreading awareness about crucial causes or issues.

Event Planning Experience

When SVAs host special events, they rely on their own members to help them plan every detail. For those interested in event planning or project management as a future career path, this can be an ideal way to gain some hands-on and relevant experience.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Being part of an SVA and advancing the organization's cause requires veteran students to collaborate and work together. This teamwork and collaboration experience can come into play in future roles where veterans may need to work closely with others to finish projects or accomplish goals.

Career Development for Veterans

SVAs also offer career development services for veterans that can ease the transition to civilian working life after college.

Resume Workshops and Interview Preparation

This includes resources such as resume workshops, where veterans can get help in writing, editing, or polishing their resumes in preparation for job applications. Meanwhile, interview preparation services allow veterans to participate in mock interviews, sharpen their skills, and build their confidence.

Job Placement Services

Additionally, some SVA chapters may have connections with local employers and businesses, allowing them to provide job placement services for veteran students with the right experience, skills, and educational background.

Internship Opportunities

In addition to job placements, SVAs may be able to help veteran students match with relevant internship opportunities that can equip them with valuable work experience in their respective fields.

Advocacy and Representation

One of the most essential roles of an SVA is to advocate for veteran students, thereby raising awareness of critical issues and influencing policy changes on and off campus.

Participation in Veteran-Related Initiatives

SVAs often participate in veteran-centric initiatives, including service projects or discussions surrounding support and resources for veterans.

Advocacy for Veteran Issues on Campus

Veteran students can face particular challenges and issues during their educational experience, and being part of an SVA can help you advocate for the accommodations or resources to which you are entitled.

Influencing Policy Changes

SVAs might also get involved in advocating for or against certain policy changes that may affect veteran students—not just at the campus level, but beyond.

Personal Growth Outside Military

Joining a student veterans association can help veteran students grow and improve beyond their academics as well.

Building Confidence

Being involved in a group that truly supports you and understands where you come from can help build the confidence needed to make a smooth transition from military to civilian life.

Developing New Skills

SVAs may also hold special events or workshops dedicated to helping veteran students develop and build new skills that may be applicable to their professional lives. For example, an SVA may host a resume-editing workshop or even a class in a specialized subject.

Time Management and Goal Setting

When it comes to time management and goal setting, SVAs can aid military veteran students who may be struggling to use their time wisely or create a concrete plan for their professional future.

Emotional and Mental Health Support

According to research by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans commonly suffer from mental health conditions that range from anxiety and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Being part of an SVA can help veterans get the dedicated emotional and mental health support they need to succeed in a college setting.

Counseling Services

A student veteran organization can offer veterans help in locating counseling and therapy services to address mental health challenges they may be experiencing throughout college.

Stress Management Workshops

Many SVAs also offer special workshops and other events dedicated to helping student veterans cope with the stress of college life and more readily adjust to this new chapter.

Peer Support Groups

Joining a peer support group offered by an SVA can be a wonderful way to meet other veterans who may be experiencing challenges or life events similar to yours. This, in turn, can help you find the support and connection needed to move forward and overcome obstacles.

Access to Mental Health Professionals

When a veteran student needs mental health treatment or additional support, an SVA can help them get the appropriate assistance, whether on or off campus.

Find Support as a Military Student at Lindenwood

Being part of a student veterans association can provide some much-needed academic, emotional, and professional support as you navigate this next phase of life. And while not every college or university offers SVAs, there's a good chance you can find a chapter on your campus when you enroll in a military-friendly school.

At Lindenwood University, we take great pride in our designation as a military-friendly school and a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Meanwhile, we've taken steps to make college more accessible and affordable for military students and veterans while offering plenty of resources and support.

Get in touch today to learn more about what Lindenwood University has to offer for veteran and military students. Then, get started with your online application!