Student Veteran Data in Higher Education

Book excerpt: While the Post-9/11 GI Bill created both a surge in student veteran enrollment at colleges and universities across the U.S. and keen interest by various stakeholders in how the billions of Federal dollars are being spent, higher education researchers have not historically focused on military-affiliated students. This special issue provides education and suggestions for institutional researchers to approach studying student veterans. Presents an overview of the history of student veterans in higher education Discusses how conceptual models of veterans’ college experience can aid institutional researchers Delves into the nuances of the phrase student veterans, commonly used for actual veteran students, active-duty service members, National Guard members, Reservists, and family members using transferred educational benefits Analyzes the differences between these sub-populations on factors known to influence postsecondary access and success Details data sources available to study veterans at proprietary institutions Discusses state-level data issues in veterans education Summarizes key concepts and recommends further research and practice. This is the 171st volume of this Jossey-Bass quarterly report series. Timely and comprehensive, New Directions for Institutional Research provides planners and administrators in all types of academic institutions with guidelines in such areas as resource coordination, information analysis, program evaluation, and institutional management