By the Numbers - Mar. 31, 2014
51.7%
The percentage of veterans using Montgomery or Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits who have earned a postsecondary degree or certificate at a university, community college or vocational school, according to a new report (PDF) by Student Veterans of America.
Although student veterans in general take longer to finish their education, the report indicated, their ultimate completion rate is comparable to that of other non-traditional students.
Also, according to the report -- based on the records of one million GI Bill beneficiaries from 2002 to 2010, more than 22% of the veteran population receiving educational benefits during that period, "...many student veterans achieve higher levels of education: 31.3 percent of the sample who initially earned a vocational certificate, 35.8 percent of the sample who initially earned an associate degree and 20.8 percent of the sample who initially earned a bachelor's degree went on to also earn a higher degree."
The report noted:
Student veterans are pursuing degrees that allow them to obtain in-demand careers. At the associate level, the five degree fields most often pursued were in liberal arts and sciences; business; homeland security; law enforcement and firefighting; and health professions. The top five bachelor's degree fields were business; social sciences; homeland security; law enforcement and firefighting; and computer and information sciences.
On a related note, according to a report issued in February by the U.S. Department of Education -- Services and Support Programs for Military Service Members and Veterans at Postsecondary Institutions, 2012-13 (PDF) -- 96% of all "2-year and 4-year Title IV eligible degree-granting postsecondary institutions" reported enrollment of "military service members, veterans or dependents of military service members or veterans" during the 2012-2013 academic year.
51.7%
The percentage of veterans using Montgomery or Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits who have earned a postsecondary degree or certificate at a university, community college or vocational school, according to a new report (PDF) by Student Veterans of America.
Although student veterans in general take longer to finish their education, the report indicated, their ultimate completion rate is comparable to that of other non-traditional students.
Also, according to the report -- based on the records of one million GI Bill beneficiaries from 2002 to 2010, more than 22% of the veteran population receiving educational benefits during that period, "...many student veterans achieve higher levels of education: 31.3 percent of the sample who initially earned a vocational certificate, 35.8 percent of the sample who initially earned an associate degree and 20.8 percent of the sample who initially earned a bachelor's degree went on to also earn a higher degree."
The report noted:
Student veterans are pursuing degrees that allow them to obtain in-demand careers. At the associate level, the five degree fields most often pursued were in liberal arts and sciences; business; homeland security; law enforcement and firefighting; and health professions. The top five bachelor's degree fields were business; social sciences; homeland security; law enforcement and firefighting; and computer and information sciences.
On a related note, according to a report issued in February by the U.S. Department of Education -- Services and Support Programs for Military Service Members and Veterans at Postsecondary Institutions, 2012-13 (PDF) -- 96% of all "2-year and 4-year Title IV eligible degree-granting postsecondary institutions" reported enrollment of "military service members, veterans or dependents of military service members or veterans" during the 2012-2013 academic year.