Students who are military veterans are provided extra resources across all TCC campuses.

Veterans’ counselors and career advisers are available to cater to their needs.

Keegan Alley, the veteran’s counselor at NW campus, said the Veterans Resource Centers help students access their benefits and put them to use.

“We also provide career advising, mental health counseling and connections to the community resources,” Alley said.

Alley said mental health is essential to all students, especially veteran students.

Veterans can find a sense of community to help them become more comfortable with the college environment. There are many clubs and organizations, such as Student Veterans of America, where they can connect with one another. Each Veterans Resource Center provides study lounges that give the students a safe space to hang out and relax between classes.

Marcie Keating, the veteran career adviser at South Campus, said there is a lot of peer support that comes from the VRC.

“The students support each other through talking about classes, getting through things like applying for disability ratings, and just adjusting to civilian life,” said Keating.

Veterans are also able to qualify for learning accommodations to aid in their educational journey. This includes course credit for military experience and academic options if a veteran is ever called into active service to aid with absences.

Keating said counselors ensure a veteran’s classes and degree plan match with their benefits. Veterans qualify for military tuition assistance or deferral, and these benefits often extend to their dependents.

There is an upcoming military and veterans breakfast event on SE campus to thank veterans for their service on Wednesday, Sept. 4. from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The event will be held at ESCT, The Hub.