Around 30% of colleges and universities have said to have reduced their funding for veteran-support programs, one study suggests.
With the pandemic affecting many sectors, some schools have reportedly cut their veteran support offices, something which will not aid veterans ongoing search for work as the unemployment rate for the community increased by 5.5% again in January.
According to the report, in 2019-2020, around 80% of schools had a dedicated office for military support, something which has now dropped to 72%.
This pandemic has already provided veterans with many unprecedented challenges. Especially those seeking college degrees, educational courses and, of course, jobs, presenting further challenges as organizations continue to cut back on their spending.
The survey, which included respondents from 230 military students at 75 colleges and universities, was conducted by Operation College Promise, a national education program based in Trenton, New Jersey.
Student veterans say the coronavirus pandemic has already negatively impacted them, with nearly 60 reporting an impact financially. 32% also say it’s affected their employment prospects and 52% their mental health.
Since the start of the pandemic, career counseling services also fell from 66 to 57, and nearly 40% of students said to have seen a reduction in communication with school staff.
The study references that these cuts were down to funding problems and staffing issues due to concerns around shutdowns, illness, and safety measures which causes an ongoing issue for veterans looking to make use of their military education benefits.
