VA adds two Ohio universities to VetSuccess on Campus program

VSOC provides on-campus support to veterans transitioning to student life

WASHINGTON,D.C. – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it is expanding the availability of services through the VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program to The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati. An additional 60 new locations nationwide were added to the program this fall bringing the number of VSOC schools across the country to 94.

“VetSuccess on Campus is an innovative approach to help Veterans in the often difficult transition from military service to academic life,” said Allison A. Hickey, VA’s Under Secretary for Benefits. “Placing experienced VA counselors directly on college campuses strengthens VA’s partnership with institutions of higher learning and creates myriad opportunities to help Veterans succeed.”

Available services include: 

• Guidance and support with education benefits
• Career exploration and assistance with selecting a suitable career/major
• Electing healthcare benefits with Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
• Assistance in understanding readjustment difficulties and how they affect school
• Coordinating with school faculty/staff to provide Veteran specific services (i.e. Certifying School Official, Career Center, Student Disabilities Services, and Academic Advising)
• Accessing, understanding, and applying for other VA benefits including disability compensation, life insurance, education, home loan guaranty and vocational rehabilitation
• Referral for readjustment counseling services for eligible Veterans and their families
• Job placement assistance and coordination with Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVER) and Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) 

This expansion triples the number of on-campus VA vocational rehabilitation counselors available to help ease Veterans’ transition to student life and assist them in achieving their educational and career goals through VA’s Post-9/11 GI Bill and other education benefit programs.

The counselors maintain close relationships with local VA Vet Centers and VA medical facilities, referring Veterans as needed for counseling or medical services and providing assistance enrolling in and applying for VA medical and non-medical benefits.  Partner schools provide on-campus office space for the VA counselors.

For information on VSOC services at OSU contact Denise R. Bays-Napier, VetSuccess On Campus Counselor, (614) 688-1602, Dbays-Napier@euse.ohio-state.edu.

For information on VSOC services at UC call (513) 556-6811 or email VetCert@UC.edu.

cleverpeasants@gmail.com

Twitter @cleverpeasant

Like Us on Facebook