Gov. Brian Sandoval has proclaimed 2014 to be the Year of the Veteran in Nevada. At NSHE, we are taking that mission to heart this year, and every year, as we strive to develop a more veteran-friendly campus environment.
Almost one million veterans are currently attending colleges in the U.S. and that number is increasing as more are completing their service and joining our campus communities. About 3,500 veterans are receiving federal education benefits at higher education institutions here in Nevada, representing about three percent of our student population. Since students report their veteran status, we believe the actual number of student veterans is probably significantly higher.
Transitioning from the military to life as a degree- or certificate-seeking civilian is not always easy. Our institutions are working closely with our veteran students to make that shift as successful and easy as possible. We have veteran centers at our campuses working with returning vets. These centers are staffed with veterans who have a keen understanding on the challenges facing today's veterans, and a passion to help them overcome those obstacles. From student groups, to support services and involvement in federal and state-wide collaborative efforts, we are dedicated to helping our veterans reconnect to their Nevada communities.
One such proud partnership is with the Nevada Department of Veterans Services and the Green Zone Initiative. Collaborating with other state agencies to streamline and improve services, NSHE's institutions are proud to provide educational and employment opportunities for our veterans.
NSHE has also offered non-resident veterans the ability to pay in-state tuition, fee waivers for Nevada National Guard members (and their spouses and children), as well as grant-in-aid for the children of spouses of those service members killed in the line of duty.
We recently competed with other community colleges across the nation and were awarded a $9.9 million Department of Labor, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant. Working together under the umbrella of the Nevada Community College Consortium, CSN, GBC, TMCC and WNC will be developing a system of credit for prior learning. This system will not only honor and leverage the experience of active duty military, veterans, and older students re-entering higher education, but will help make dramatic improvements in their ability to earn higher wages as soon as possible.
Grant funds will also be used to expand our Veterans Resource Centers on those community college campuses.
Nevada's veterans are heroes. They have volunteered to serve in harm's way for the greater good of our state and our country. Less than a week after Election Day, we do well to pause and thank the brave men and women of our armed services who have fought to defend our right to vote, our freedom and our way of life. As they have protected us, we owe them, and their survivors, the opportunity for a better future and we pledge ourselves to do everything in our power to honor and repay their sacrifice and service.
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