Today’s veterans face tremendous obstacles in their path of attaining a college degree. These challenges range from a missing sense of camaraderie to a lack of understanding by university faculty and peers. When coupled with the visible and invisible wounds of war, a college degree seems to be an elusive goal for men and women returning from military service. Student Veterans of America (SVA) makes that goal a reality.SVA’s mission is to provide military veterans with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and after graduation.SVA was born out of the experiences of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans returning to campus. Derek Blumke, for example, returned to the University of Michigan as one of 48 veterans on a campus of 40,000. Alone, he faced the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life.
He was confronted with questions such as “Have you ever killed anyone?” and a general population that was unprepared to help veterans. As he left the library one day, Derek read a magazine article that highlighted the struggles, perseverance, and triumphs of other student veterans. He realized he was not alone.
Student veterans nationwide had begun creating peer-to-peer veteran organizations on college campuses. To unite these groups and solidify the movement, Derek and co-founders Luke Stalcup and Elizabeth O’Herrin, convened a meeting of 20 student veteran leaders in 2008. Together, they founded Student Veterans of America to ensure that every generation of veterans has the opportunity to earn a college degree.
PROGRAMS
Since 2008, SVA has rapidly expanded our network of chapters to more than 300 campuses nationwide. We offer a wide range of programs and services that help veterans excel in the classroom and beyond. These programs focus on: Transition Assistance, Educational Advancement, and Career Services.
SVA’s National Scholarship Program will be the beneficiary of any donations to the Illinois Patriot Education Fund. SVA scholarships fill the gaps left by the Post-9/11 GI Bill and provide direct support to student veterans that have demonstrated academic excellence, a commitment to their community, and a financial need. SVA Scholarships from the Illinois Patriot Education Fund will support:
- Student Veterans in Illinois
- Wounded Warriors
- Student Veterans pursing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees
- Student Veterans pursuing degrees in international affairs, foreign language, or diplomacy
- Student Veterans that are pursing graduate studies
Thank you for supporting: Yesterday’s Warriors, Today’s Scholars, and Tomorrow’s Leaders.
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