§1161t Model Programs for Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success

Summary

Authorizes the Secretary to give grants, when money is available under subsection (f), to colleges and universities so they can build model programs that help veteran students succeed in postsecondary school. Grants last three years. Granted schools must set up a Center of Excellence on campus that acts as a single contact point, create a veteran student support team (including offices like admissions, registration, financial aid, veterans benefits, advising, health and counseling, career and disability services), hire a coordinator to run the program, track veteran enrollment, persistence, and completion, and make a plan to keep the center going after the grant ends. Schools may also use the money for outreach, counseling and tutoring, help with credit transfers and financial aid, housing support, orientation and cultural activities, support for veteran groups, working with nearby military units, and other services that help veterans succeed. Colleges must apply to the Secretary to get a grant. The Secretary will consider how many veteran students a school has and try to spread grants fairly across different types and sizes of schools, regions, and rural and urban areas. The Secretary must make a plan to measure whether these programs increase veteran enrollment, persistence, and completion. Funding is authorized for fiscal year 2009 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years.