CU and Veteran's Benefits: What You Need to Know

The lounge in Rahall provides a comfortable respite for Veteran Students here on campus

Photo By James Hoyle

Concord University has consistently had a good track record for getting veterans the benefits and help that they are entitled to. Military Times’ EDGE Magazine selected Concord University as one of the most veteran-friendly universities in 2011. In 2015, Concord University made the “5-Star Challenge Initiative,” a pledge to have a certain set of exemplary standards for things like accessibility and academic support. For any students that are veterans that are unaware of the services and benefits that Concord University has to offer, there are quite a few options. Concord University’s benefits for veterans goes much further than the standard financial aid, tutoring, and student support services offered to all students. 

    To begin with, Concord University accepts military credits and has adopted policies that include:  Dante’s and CLEP (College Level Examination Program).  Concord University is also an official CLEP test center. Concord has a policy that, should a solider be called to fight, their status as a student is forgiven and, should they return to the school, they can continue right where they left off. There is a Veterans’ Club on campus that meets once a month and does things such as tailgating for vets at football home games, bowling trips, exam picnics, the Toys for Tots program, yard sales, and other gatherings. In addition, Concord University works with local veteran hospitals and community centers and has a counselor available should a veteran need counseling. Group counseling is also available as needed. Upon graduation, veterans also receive a red, white and blue cord to wear in honor of their service. 

    Concord University also has a Veteran’s Lounge, located on the bottom floor of the Rahall building, where veterans can come to relax, hang out, study, and generally decompress from the day. Brandon Fessler, a student who works in the lounge said that it’s a good place for veterans to hang out, as students who are veterans are often older than the average Concord University student. He also spoke highly of the Financial Aid Office and how they are able to help veterans with the finer details of financial aid. “Lisa Spencer does all our paperwork,” he said, “Like anything that involves trying to get tuition assistance and stuff, the GI Bills, she handles that.” He added that whenever there is paperwork that needs filled out, Spencer sends out an email to all the veterans and they just go and take care of it.

    As for the Veteran’s Lounge, Fessler said that it is a low-stress atmosphere where any veteran can come and hang out. “We don’t like to have any drama or anything, we just try to keep it really chill. It might get rowdy at lunch, because there’s actually quite a few people that come here to eat.” He also added that any veteran should feel free to come to the lounge if they want someone to talk to, as sometimes it is a good thing to have people with similar experiences to converse with. He also said that it is a good idea to get into contact with Lisa Spenser in the Financial Aid Office, as the sooner a veteran gets into contact with them, the sooner they will be able to acquire their financial aid, work study, and any other benefits that they might be entitled to. With all of this, plus Concord’s continued efforts to improve their help for veterans, one can only hope that they continue to be able to help those that have done so much for our country.