Notes From The Edge - Military Times Edge

“Nontraditional student” typically has referred to anyone over a particular age (usually 24 or 25 years old) who has started — or returned to — college.

By that definition, many student veterans heading to the classroom after military service fit the bill of nontraditional student. And, like many a nontraditional students before them, so, too, do student veterans often feel out of place among their younger, seemingly more carefree student counterparts.

While traditional college students are fresh out of high school and seem to have no cares or concerns beyond just going to school, nontraditional students often are burdened with the additional stresses that come with having families, full-time jobs or both.

When you’re talking about a nontraditional student veteran, the differences become even more pronounced. More and more student veterans are heading to the classroom with physical or mental disabilities related to combat — disabilities that create further challenges to achieving success in college. Further, veterans can be thrown off by the comparative lack of structure found in the college environment, after a military career spent fulfilling specific missions in given timeframes.

Fortunately, more and more higher education institutions are providing services to help student veterans adjust to college. I wrote a story for the March issue of EDGE on managing the transition from combat to college. Check it out for tips from a number of experts in education and the military.

Also, be sure to check out these organizations and programs that are leading the way in providing help for veterans returning to the classroom:

Student Veterans of America

A coalition of student veterans organizations on college campuses across the United States, dedicated to advocating for student veterans and ensuring their success in higher education.

Mymilitaryeducation.org

A source of information about military and veteran educational questions for Minnesota veterans.

SERV

A program at Ohio’s Cleveland State University that is designed to assist military veterans with their transition from soldier to civilian to student.

Combat2College

A program of Maryland’s Montgomery College, designed to welcome home and provide academic opportunities and appropriate support services for veterans.