Since 2013, Loyola Marymount University and Veteran Programs have received $150,000 in funding from the Ahmanson Foundation to provide scholarships and on-campus employment opportunities for undergraduate student veterans who are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
A total of 15 undergraduate veterans received scholarship support and five undergraduate veterans received on-campus employment. The scholarship support alleviated the students’ unmet financial need, reduced their student debt and contributed to the students’ ability to obtain an undergraduate degree.
“The Ahmanson Foundation Scholarship is key to supporting veterans pursuing their degrees at LMU,” said Jennifer Ellspermann, coordinator for Veteran Programs at LMU. “It has assisted with their loan debt and ability to support their families while attending school. By providing scholarships for veterans, we are supporting a population that has served our country and preparing them to pursue their career passions and goals.”
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education has outlined its 8 Keys to Veterans’ Success initiative. This provides specific ways that institutions such as LMU can support veterans while pursuing their educational and employment goals. By endorsing the 8 Keys to Veterans’ Success initiative, LMU is illustrating its commitment to supporting student veterans pursuing their degrees.
The 8 Keys are as follows:
- Create a culture of trust and connectedness across the campus community to promote well-being and success for veterans.
- Ensure consistent and sustained support from campus leadership.
- Implement an early alert system to ensure all veterans receive academic, career, and financial advice before challenges become overwhelming.
- Coordinate and centralize campus efforts for all veterans, together with the creation of a designated space for them (even if limited in size).
- Collaborate with local communities and organizations, including government agencies, to align and coordinate various services for veterans.
- Utilize a uniform set of data tools to collect and track information on veterans, including demographics, retention, and degree completion.
- Provide comprehensive professional development for faculty and staff on issues and challenges unique to veterans.
- Develop systems that ensure sustainability of effective practices for veterans.
For more information about LMU’s resources and services for veteran students, visit the Veteran Programs website or contact Jennifer Ellspermann at (424) 568-8387.