Higher Ed Opens Doors to Brighter Future

Grant funding and new vocational opportunities offer chance for retraining to student veterans, workers impacted by covid-19

By Tyler Francke, Veterans News Magazine

The coronavirus pandemic upended virtually every aspect of Americans’ lives, with disproportionate impacts being felt by many students, both K-12 and higher education, who were forced to transition to a remote learning environment — and stay there for months.

For many student veterans, who can already face challenges in their return to civilian life and the structure of class schedules and the classroom, the shift was particularly disruptive.

In Oregon, a new grant program that had been in the works for years before COVID but happened to launch in the summer of 2020 provided some much-needed help.

The Oregon Veteran Educational Bridge Grant program, which is administed by ODVA, was conceived to help student veterans achieve their educational goals. It provides grants to eligible student veterans to alleviate the financial stress during a gap period when required courses are unavailable, allowing them to stay in school or their apprenticeship training and finish their program.

“The financial reality of many student veterans’ situations is that they can’t simply take a semester off,” noted ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick. “And we know that many of those who have to seek employment to provide for themselves and their families may never return to the classroom to finish their education.”

The program awarded more than $220,000 to Oregon student veterans during the 2020-21 biennium, with students receiving an average of $4,419.

“This helped out a ton,” said one student veteran who received a bridge grant. “It took a load off of my family.”

“The process was super smooth and very much needed at the time,” agreed another. “I’d give it an AAA+ rating.”

The program has been renewed for another biennium. For questions or to apply, contact coordinator Joe Mah at EBG@odva.state.or.us or visit www.oregon.gov/odva/agency-programs/ grants/Pages/Educational-Bridge-Grant.aspx.

Other programs and resources that may be useful to Oregon student veterans or workers impacted by COVID-19 include:

The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) is a program through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that offers veterans who are unemployed due to COVID-19 education and training for high-demand jobs.

Eligible vets can receive up to 12 months of benefits equivalent to Post 9/11 GI Bill® to complete a qualifying program of education or training. The program is open through Dec. 11, 2022, or until the funding or participant caps are reached.

Veterans must be between 22 and 66, not eligible for other VA education benefits, not rated totally disabled and not receiving unemployment benefits to qualify.

To learn more, apply for VRRAP, and view participating schools, visit www.va.gov/education/other-va-educationbenefits/veteran-rapid-retraining-assistance.

The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship is a federal VA scholarship that allows some Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Fry Scholarship recipients to extend their benefit up to nine months if they are enrolled in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) field of study and will exhaust their benefit before they complete their degree.

View the full eligibility requirements, list of eligible degree programs, and application online: www.va.gov/education/

Finally, the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) is a VA program that pays the equivalent of Post 9/11 GI Bill® Tuition and Housing benefits to veterans who enroll in courses that lead to employment in high technology fields. VET TEC benefits do not count against GI Bill® months of entitlement.

VET TEC participants are limited to approved courses at participating schools. Learn more, view participating schools, and apply online at: www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/vettec-high-tech-program/other-va-education-benefits/stem-scholarship.

Find veteran Services on your campus

Many Oregon college campuses have a veterans resource center to assist you in all things veteran.

For a complete directory of contact information and links to campus resource centers in your area, visit www.oregon.gov/odva/Services/Pages/ Campus-Veteran-Services.aspx.