Veterans eager to reintegrate struggle with perceptions, finances

Veterans who are trading helmets for mortarboards bring skills and experiences to the classroom that often surpass those of typical college students, but financial challenges can make success after service even more elusive, according to some veterans.

“Veterans are very focused, and now their mission is to get an education,” says Ann Beck, assistant director of Veteran’s Services at Western Washington University. “They also have a really good perspective on things. They may get frustrated or tired, but they know what they are capable of because they’ve been pushed to the limit and have seen a lot more.”