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Student Veterans

Our staff is dedicated to helping student veterans achieve their goals of higher education. Our goal is to ensure that all of our students are aware of the benefits that are available to them through the university and prepare  them to enter the post-graduate world. 

We aim to facilitate those resources to our students for them to have the successful academic careers they dream of. 

Connection 

  • Student Veterans will foster a sense of community by developing a relationship with peer veterans through student veteran organizations and veteran resource centers.  
  • Student Veterans will be able to identify campus professionals who are trained to support veterans through UNG’s Green Zone program.  

Preparation 

  • Student Veterans will be able to identify and augment the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired from military experiences and apply them within the college curriculum.  
  • Student Veterans will capitalize on their cultivated leadership skills to enhance their development into life-long learners.  

Navigation 

  • Student Veterans will overcome mental, physical, and financial barriers by utilizing UNG programs for Veterans to complete their education and reach their career goals.  
  • Student Veterans will identify areas for improvement and develop skills to navigate their educational pathways.

Veterans Resources

Joint Services Transcript (JST)

The JST system is setup to send your official electronic JST to UNG once you have setup a free JST account. UNG will only evaluate JST’s for students who are currently accepted into UNG. Evaluations may take up to two weeks. You will be emailed at your UNG email account with updates or a completed evaluation.

Questions? Check out our FAQs and other Prior Learning Assessment resources, or email transfer@ung.edu. 

Student Veterans of America

The Student Veterans of America's (SVA) mission is to advocate for students who have or currently serve in the armed forces. They also provide a college club experience, transition assistance, mentoring, and a supportive and fun environment. For more information please contact the Student Veterans of America.

UNG Green Zones

A location recognized by veterans and service members as a safe place.

Learn more about UNG Green Zones.

Learn About Our History

History of NEST Veterans Programs

In 2010, the UNG Gainesville Campus (formerly Gainesville State College), now one of the five campuses of the consolidated University of North Georgia (UNG), was honored to become a part of the Adult Learning Consortium (ALC).  

Along with this recognition, the UNG Gainesville Campus received a $25,000 grant to increase support for adult learners. The grant was subsequently renewed in 2012 for an additional $25,000. The intent of the grant was “to galvanize [adult Georgians] to change their situation, thereby boosting the state’s economic growth” (University System of Georgia). 

As part of this same initiative, in March 2011, the University System of Georgia’s Office of Military Outreach awarded the UNG Gainesville Campus the Soldiers to Scholars grant enabling the university to better serve military personnel in its service area. With the ALC grant funds, institutional funds, and faculty/staff support, the University of North Georgia has continued to grow its support for veterans and adult learner students.  

With a growing number of both student veterans and adult learners, UNG created the Center for Adult Learners & Military (CALM) in 2012 in an effort to better serve these non-traditional student populations. CALM was renamed in January 2017 to Veteran & Adult Learner Programs (VALP). 

In August 2020, VALP and Orientation and Transitions Program (OTP) merged to form a new department:  Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transitions (NEST). This merger has increased the number of dedicated staff trained to serve Veterans and Adult Learners. NEST is now able to provide a dedicated team of staff members for Veterans and a dedicated team for Adult Learners. Having specific staff dedicated to each of these programs allows NEST to continue all previous VALP programs with an addition of new programs better geared toward each specific population. These programs will help Veterans and Adult Learners connect, prepare, and navigate their college career. 

NEST is the point-of-contact concierge for the Veteran and Adult Learners and provides advisement as requested, ACE transcript reviews, portfolio counseling, career advisement, and mentoring. NEST also works with faculty and staff by providing them training opportunities concerning Veteran and Adult Learners. 

Student Veterans Benefits COVID-19 Updates

GI Bill and Housing (MHA) Benefits

Student Veterans will continue to receive their GI Bill benefits under S. 3503, signed into law March 21. The law enables Veterans Affairs (VA) to continue providing the same level of education benefits to students having to take courses online due to the COVID-19. The law gives VA temporary authority to continue GI Bill payments uninterrupted in the event of national emergencies. This allows for continued payment of benefits even if the program has changed from resident training to online training. GI Bill students will continue receiving the same monthly housing allowance (MHA) payments they received for resident training until December 21, or until the school resumes in-person classes. Students receiving GI Bill benefits are not required to take any action. Benefits will continue automatically.

Additional Resources

Dahlonega Campus

The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) at the Dahlonega campus provides our student veterans with lounge space, computer stations, free printing, a private restroom and a kitchenette (complete with a microwave and coffee maker). The center also houses some study materials for CLEP examinations, office supplies, and Scantrons.

The VRC is conveniently located on the third floor of Hoag Student Center in Suite 319, inside of the Great Room. Complete the Military and Veteran Resource Center Access Request Form to request access to the VRC.

Hours

Days Hours Open
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Gainesville Campus

The Military Resource Center (MRC) on the Gainesville campus provides student veterans with space to study, individually or in groups, computer stations, free printing and access to a kitchenette. The Gainesville MRC is located in the Dunlap/Mathis Building in Room 119. Complete the Military and Veteran Resource Center Access Request Form to request access to the MRC.

Hours

Days Hours Open
Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Military Free Resource Area
Free Resource Area for Student Veterans Free Resource Area

Services are available at other campuses upon request, email us at nest@ung.edu. 

UNG follows Section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.0 for web accessibility. If you require the content on this web page in another format, please contact the ADA Coordinator.

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