National Veterans Foundation to Sponsor Student Veterans of America California Conference

Speakers include but are not limited to: Major General Michael Lehnert, Shad Meshad, Col. Bucky Peterson (USMC Ret.), & Dr. Wade R. Sanders


LOS ANGELES: The National Veterans Foundation (NVF) has announced that it will sponsor the Student Veterans of America California Conference May 25, 2008 in Los Angeles. This is an opportunity for student veterans, certifying officials, and support organizations to share best practices and discuss obstacles to veterans' degree completion within California's higher education systems and private institutions.

Student Veterans of America is a grassroots national student organization working at the institutional, state, and national level to increase the quality of life for veterans who return to higher education. By assisting veterans in their transition to college life, working to foster the creation of on-campus student veteran organizations, and advocating for increased resources for student veterans, including a new GI Bill for the 21st century, SVA is working hard for America’s veterans. SVA will also hold their first National Conference in Washington, DC, June 11-13th.

“Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans in Crisis”, a report released by the NVF found that the GI Bill uses complex formulas to determine monthly benefits. Full-time student veterans receive as little as $317 a month to cover tuition, fees, books and supplies and living expenses. The highest benefit rate plan gives veterans $1251 monthly for a maximum of 36 months. This barely covers the in-state tuition and fees at state colleges like Ohio State – with nothing for housing, transportation or food. This is just one example of the many roadblocks veterans face while reintegrating back into society and the class room.

“Colleges, like families and civilian employers, are on the front lines of the homecoming process. By fostering dialogue and offering more support services to veterans where they land, we can prevent much bigger problems from manifesting later on.” – NVF President and Founder Shad Meshad


For more information on this conference, speaker bios, registration information, or to set up interviews, please contact Cat Rotunno at (888)777-4443, or cat@nvf.org

For more information on the Student Veterans of America, please click here.

 

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