Student Veterans

Voices of Vets

Eight college students provide an inside look at life as a returning veteran.
From www.halfofus.com.

As a student veteran, you may find the transition from military life to college life challenging. Often, student veterans find that they’re coming to school with different life experiences than many of their student peers and that there are different expectations, freedoms, responsibilities, and social interactions compared to what they experienced in the military. It’s not unusual to experience a range of emotions that may include feelings of isolation, loneliness, anxiety or depression. Remember that it takes time! Just as it took time to adjust to military life, it will also take time to adjust to college life. The transition will take similar kinds of adjustments but you will have to take some action on your own. It may feel tough at first, but U-M has many support services and people that are ready and willing to help. Here are some places to start and tips for navigating the university:

Connect with the Student Veterans Assistance Program

Tip: Visit the website to find help and information (including names of specific people to contact) about everything from accessing your VA benefits and financial aid to finding housing and getting involved on campus

Located in the Office of New Student Programs, the mission of the Student Veterans Assistance Program is to assist veterans, guardsmen, reservists, and others receiving US military benefits in making a successful transition into the UM community. This program is a great resource whether you’re a new student who has completed your service, a student who interrupted your education to serve and are now returning, or a student who began your studies elsewhere and are transferring to U-M. Staff will help guide you to the resources you need to make the most out of your U-M experience.

Use the checklists

These admission and enrollment forms provided by the Student Veterans Assistance Program can help you stay organized and help guide you through the admission and enrollment processes at U-M.

Talk with another U-M student veteran

The Vet to Vet program can connect you with a former or current military student who can advise you on the transition to college from a student perspective.

Get involved

With a large student population, U-M has a student organization to match almost any interest. To find a group with similar interests as your own, visit Maize Pages. Also, Festifall or Northfest are large events held each year to showcase student groups on campus.

The Student Veteran Association is a student organization that connects student veterans, advocates for improved campus services, and serves as social support.

Graduate student organizations include:

Social Workers for Veterans (open to both graduate and undergraduate students)
The Armed Forces Medical Student Association
Michigan Ross School of Business Armed Forces Association

Explore and enjoy all that Ann Arbor has to offer

Though it may be tempting to stay in or go back to your hometown on the weekends, exploring Ann Arbor, with its parks, theaters, museums, coffee shops and restaurants, can be a great way to meet people and learn your way around.

Address your mental health concerns

Counseling and Psychological Services provides free counseling services for enrolled U-M students
The VA Ann Arbor Health System provides care for veterans
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD has information and resources for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The Buddy to Buddy program can connect you with another veteran who is trained to help you find resources.
Explore this site to find other mental health and support services as well as helpful management strategies.