# data[].attributes.body
The review of the current literature has shown that student veterans perceive that some services provided by higher education institutions are not adequate enough to address their unique challenges.  Several recommendations were given in order to improve these services such as professional development for faculty and staff, cross campus and community collaborations and a safe space for veteran students to gather.  Although, institutions provide a version of student support services to veteran students there is still a gap on the effectiveness of those resources.  Further research needs to explore the impact of these student support services on student retention, attrition and graduation rates.

# data[].attributes.body
The purpose of the research is to learn what are the specific needs of the student veteran population on how adequate are the services provided by higher education situations to address those needs.

# data[].attributes.headline
US Higher Education Institutions that use the 8 Keys to Success

# data[].attributes.subject
US Higher Education Institutions that use the 8 Keys to Success

# data[].attributes.body
1. Create a culture of trust and connectedness across the campus community to promote well-being and success for veterans.
2. Ensure consistent and sustained support from campus leadership.
3. Implement an early alert system to ensure all veterans receive academic, career, and financial advice before challenges become overwhelming.
4. Coordinate and centralize campus efforts for all veterans, together with the creation of a designated space for them (even if limited in size).
5. Collaborate with local communities and organizations, including government agencies, to align and coordinate various services for veterans.
6. Utilize a uniform set of data tools to collect and track information on veterans, including demographics, retention, and degree completion.
7. Provide comprehensive professional development for faculty and staff on issues and challenges unique to veterans.
8. Develop systems that ensure sustainability of effective practices for veterans.

# data[].attributes.body
Student veterans -A student veteran can be defined as anyone on active duty, in reserves or the National Guard, or retired from the military (Kirchner, 2015).

Post 9/11 GI Bill-  a U.S. law that provides benefits to military veterans who have taken part in active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)- is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) - a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury.

Higher education- education beyond high school, especially at a college or university.

# data[].attributes.body
There is a significant amount of research pertaining to student veterans and their needs in higher education. There is research on student veterans and their attitudes towards the services they receive in higher education. However, there is a lack of research on the adequacy and effectiveness of those services provided to student veterans. Developing research on the effectiveness in alignment of the "8 Keys to Veteran Success" and institutions' campus resources could benefit this topic.

# data[].attributes.body
Since the Post 9/11 GI Bill was established in 2009, there has been a dramatic increase of veterans enrolling into college. . In 2013, over 1.7 million student veterans had utilized their G.I. bill benefits. This number may be even higher today (Miller, 2015). Reintegration back into society is considered one of the most challenging experiences a student veteran faces (Kirchner, 2015).The term military-friendly does not involve student veterans being welcomed at a university but is in reference to whether or not a university is well equipped to serve their needs (Kirchner, 2015). Through this literature review, I intent to analyze the adequacy of services provided to the veteran population in higher education.

# data[].attributes.body
1. What are the biggest challenges student veterans face?
2. What type of services are provided to student veterans in higher education?
3.What are best practices in aiding veteran student succeed in higher education?

# data[].attributes.body
March 10, 2019
EDU 815

# data[].attributes.body
The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the veteran student population further in order to discover improvements in the process of assisting student veterans in attaining academic success. I would want to continue to investigate this population in an effort to find best practices when assisting student veterans and attend to their needs.  There are three themes explored in the literature review: (a) student veterans’ unique challenges  (b) veteran friendly institutions (c) best practices for achieving student success among student veterans.