BRATTLEBORO — Union Institute & University is expanding its Veterans in Union living allowance stipend opportunity nationwide to Vermont veterans.
“This stipend opportunity assists veterans in the completion of their undergraduate, master's or Ph.D. degrees,” said Kimbrea Browning, Vice President for Enrollment Management, in a news release.
Designed for “those who have served our country and need additional support to fulfill their educational goals,” Browning said the stipend may also be used for supplemental expenses.
The Union Institute & University Veterans in Union program answered the call to assist veterans in this transition in 2015 with an initial $293,000 grant from an anonymous foundation to serve Ohio veterans. It was expanded this year to also cover Union's students at its Brattleboro campus at 28 Vernon St.
“The success of the first two years determined the need to expand the program nationwide,” said Browning.
Founded 53 years ago, Browning said that Union “has perfected the adult delivery model. We understand the unique needs of the adult learner. We offer veterans what a traditional bricks and mortar university can't: specialized distance-learning programs that combine online and classroom coursework with high-touch faculty attention, designed for students regardless of where they live and work.”
In addition to the supplemental funding, veterans at Union can access other assistance, such as a virtual Veterans Resource Center, personalized student success services, including ADA, academic and writing support, lifestyle transition social services, monthly career transition seminars, career coaching and military-friendly employer matching.