Program makes it easier for vets to trade boots for books

Sacramento State is making it a little easier for military servicemen and veterans to attend college.

Sac State joins other CSU campuses that are participating in a program called Troops to College.
The program provides a variety of programs and services to active duty members and veterans.

“Military members making the transition to college often have questions about tuition programs, use of the GI Bill, benefit requirements and transferring military credits to college credits,” says Jeffrey Weston, Sacramento State veterans’ affairs coordinator. “Our job is to help make the process as smooth as possible for them.”

Like many campuses, Sacramento State has seen an increase in the number of military members and their eligible dependents applying for admission. The University has had a 20 percent increase in the past year.

“We’re seeing a lot of reservists and guardsmen who are coming off 90-day to two-year deployments and a lot of active duty members from Beale and Travis AFBs,” Weston says. “They are coming back to school and the numbers will probably continue to increase at a rapid rate.”

According to Weston, California is home to more than 2.2 million veterans. More than 175,000 service members are stationed throughout the state which is home to more than 35,000 National Guard members and reservists. Sacramento State has more than 600 veterans attending school and about 80 active duty members attending school though Department of Defense tuition assistance programs.

Many veterans are older than typical new students, he says, and many have families, jobs and responsibilities outside of school. “It’s important that we try to help streamline the process for them because of that.”

Beginning this summer, veterans using federal educational benefits such as the GI Bill, Reserve Educational Assistance Program or the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, will receive priority registration at Sacramento State. “This will give veterans a better chance to get their courses,” Weston says.