OCU was recognized as a good campus for military veterans for the 10th consecutive year.
OCU was designated an official “military friendly” school for 2018-19 by Military Friendly, an organization that measures schools and employers on their commitment to the military community. This means OCU successfully met standards set by Military Friendly in six different categories, including financial aid and assistance, military student support and retention, and culture and commitment.
OCU has made the list since its creation in 2009, according to Student Publications archives.
There are about 70 veterans or active service members on campus who receive benefits. Heidi DePuy, associate registrar and Department of Veterans Affairs certifying official, said veterans have a lot to offer to the university.
“They bring a different perspective to the classroom setting. They have some experiences and a history that the younger students don’t have, and they bring something different to the table,” DePuy said.
Student veterans at OCU are eligible for a variety of benefits, including the Yellow Ribbon Program, which works in conjunction with a veteran’s Post-9/11 VA Education Benefits. If a veteran’s cost of attendance exceeds their Post-9/11 Benefits, then Yellow Ribbon will take effect, and OCU will waive a portion of their tuition and fees and the VA will match it.
Specific eligibility requirements for the Yellow Ribbon Program can be found at benefits.va.gov.
DePuy said nearly all Yellow Ribbon recipients have their full tuition and fees covered.
Edward Tuya, liberal studies senior, was a musician in the Marine Corps for four years and was stationed in Japan, California and Virginia, along with deployments around the Pacific.
Tuya does not participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, though he said he thinks highly of the program. He also said OCU could be better at promoting other veteran programs besides Yellow Ribbon.
“There are some vocational opportunities that the VA offers. For instance, they will pay for any nursing students to take the actual nursing test, and I don’t think a lot of veterans realize that, and I don’t even think OCU realizes that,” Tuya said.
Tuya also said OCU could create more social opportunities for veterans on campus.
“I don’t really hear about any social groups or events around campus that cater to veterans,” he said. “It would be really cool if there was a way for older veterans to get together with younger veterans and offer advice. Things like that are really important from veterans trying to transition from military life to a college campus setting.”
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