Spring Semester Check-In: Supporting Veterans in Transition
For many in higher education, the spring semester marks a flurry of activity: finalizing enrollment numbers, prepping for graduation, and closing the loop on retention efforts. But this season also presents a timely opportunity to pay closer attention to a group that often flies under the radar—student veterans.
Whether they're wrapping up their first year, approaching graduation, or navigating life changes mid-semester, spring is a critical time for veterans in transition. For enrollment and student success leaders, it's worth asking: Are we meeting our veteran students where they are right now?
Why Spring Is a Pivotal Moment
Unlike traditional undergraduates who follow a more predictable path, student veterans often start at nonstandard times, transfer in with prior credit, or balance school with full-time work and family responsibilities. That means the “spring check-in” looks different for them.
This time of year, veterans may be:
Finishing their first full academic year and reassessing their goals.
Transitioning out of school and into the workforce.
Dealing with benefits issues that surface mid-year.
Struggling with academic fatigue or isolation.
If these students are going to persist, they need more than just reminders about advising appointments or registration deadlines—they need targeted support that acknowledges the transitions they’re managing, both in and outside the classroom.
What Transitions Are We Talking About?
Veterans bring a wealth of lived experience and leadership skills to campus, but that doesn't mean the transition to higher ed is smooth. The challenges they face tend to fall into a few categories:
Cultural transition – Shifting from a mission-driven, team-oriented military culture to a campus environment that often feels unstructured and individualistic.
Academic re-entry – Re-learning how to study, write papers, or sit through lectures—sometimes after years away from school.
Life management – Balancing coursework with parenting, work, or managing service-related health conditions.
Systems navigation—Navigating the red tape of GI Bill®️ benefits, financial aid, and course registration can be especially challenging for students who start mid-year.
Understanding these transition layers helps shape better services and outreach, not just during onboarding but year-round.
Four Ways to Support Veterans This Spring
So, what can institutions do to meet student veterans where they are right now? Here are four places to start:
1. Review the Veteran Enrollment Experience
Put yourself in a veteran's shoes: Is your website clear about transfer credits, military transcripts, and how to access benefits? Is the admissions process welcoming and easy to navigate? Use spring to audit these touchpoints before fall recruitment picks up.
2. Reconnect with Currently Enrolled Veterans
Not just through a survey but with real conversations. Host a roundtable, check in through the veterans resource center, or meet one-on-one. Ask what's working—and what's not. These insights can directly inform support programs or adjustments to academic policies.
3. Make Mentorship More Visible
Veteran-to-veteran or faculty-to-veteran mentorship programs are proven to support retention, but they often operate quietly. Use the spring semester to recruit mentors, promote the program, and gather feedback. Small connections can make a big difference in helping vets feel seen and supported.
4. Tell Better Stories
Highlighting veteran voices in your marketing is about representation. Showcase student veterans in your newsletters, website, or commencement coverage. Not just their military service but also their academic wins, career goals, and community impact.
Ready to take the next step supporting student veterans?