The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) serves as Syracuse University’s single point of entry for all veteran and military related programs and initiatives. It collaborates and coordinates with all stakeholders to best serve veterans, military connected students, and military family members who are students or employees at Syracuse University. | Download the Resources for Veterans flyer
Career Services
Syracuse University provides strong support for veterans to develop their professional skills and enhance their careers. Learn more about the career development resources offered at www.careerservices.syr.edu.
Contact: Jennifer Renee Pluta | jrpluta@syr.edu | (315) 443-7183
Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
The VR&E program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For Veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.
Active Duty Service Members are eligible if they:
- Expect to receive an honorable discharge upon separation from active duty
- Obtain a VA memorandum rating or Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) rating of 20% or more
Veterans are eligible if they:
- Have received, or will receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge
- Have a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% with a serious employment handicap or 20% or more with an employment handicap
Download the Chapter 31 Flyer
Chapter 36: Education and Career Counseling Program
- Career Choice – understand the best career options based on your interests and capabilities
- Benefits Coaching – guidance on the effective use of VA benefits and/or other resources to achieve education and career goals
- Personalized Support – Academic or adjustment counseling and personalized support to help remove any barriers to success
Eligibility: Transitioning servicemembers within six months prior to discharge from active duty, veterans within one year following discharge from active duty, any Servicemember or Veteran eligible for a VA education benefit, and all current VA education beneficiaries.
Download the Chapter 36 Flyer
Counseling and Wellness
The Counseling Center encompasses services addressing mental health, sexual assault and relationship violence, and substance abuse issues. The center is staffed by experienced clinicians and are on campus to assist students in addressing concerns related to adjusting to college life. Learn more
Disability Services
Syracuse University supports and serves as a resource for student veterans with disabilities. Learn more Contact: (315) 443-4498 | TDD: (315) 443-1371
Financial Aid
Syracuse University provides a number of benefits beyond the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. Many degree programs also offer specific benefits. Learn more
Freshman Forum
Syracuse University offers a Freshman and Transfer Student Forum for incoming student veterans to facilitate transitioning, academic mapping, and encouraging meeting fellow veterans. Contact: Jennifer Jeffery at jjeffery@syr.edu
G.I. Bill Education Benefits Form
Use the G.I. Bill® Education Benefits Form to file for benefits every semester.
Housing
Learn more about housing at Syracuse University here.
Libraries (VMA Librarian
Syracuse University has a reference librarian dedicated to helping veteran and military students. She is located in Bird Library. She can help with papers, research projects, and simply using the many library services.
Abby Kasowitz-Scheer
Bird Library, Room 200
315-443-1943 | askasowi@syr.edu
Office of Veteran Success
Syracuse University’s Office of Veterans & Military Affairs (OVMA) is home to the Office of Veteran Success (OVS). The OVS serves to support the student experience by processing certifications of education benefits established by the VA. We are here to review benefit information, answer related questions, and ensure you can feel confident using your benefits to achieve your educational goals.
Onondaga County Veteran Discount Card
Onondaga County is reaching out to county businesses and merchants to encourage participation in a discount program designed to recognize and thank military Veterans for their sacrifices and service to our country.
SALUTE National Honor Society
SALUTE (Service-Academics-Leadership-Unity-Tribute-Excellence) is a national honor society for student veterans and military in 2-year and 4-year institutions of higher education. Syracuse has a chapter to honor our veteran and military connected students.
Scholarships
CollegeScholarships.org listing of scholarships for veterans.
Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship for unmarried dependents of the fallen or disabled under age 23.
Study Abroad
Did you know that nearly 40% of Syracuse students study abroad? Learn more at suabroad.syr.edu.
Syracuse University Student Veterans Organization
This SU organization is a recognized chapter of Student Veterans of America and a recognized student association group on Syracuse University’s campus.
Syracuse Veterans’ Writing Group
The Syracuse Veterans’ Writing group is open to all veterans and their supporters The focus of our group is on writing nonfiction accounts or “true stories” of life in and out of the military. Veterans of all ages, branches of the military, and conflicts are welcome. You need not have any prior experience with writing, just a desire to write your stories and share them with others.
Veterans Legal Clinic
The Veterans Legal Clinic (VLC) assists veterans with claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs and discharge upgrades. Other clinical programs at the College of Law have dedicated priority slots to assist veterans in the areas of family law, elder law, community development, consumer law, tax law, criminal law, disability rights, and bankruptcy. To reach the VLC or any of the other clinics, please contact the Office of Clinical Legal Education at (315) 443-4582 | Learn more
Veterans Lounge
Enjoy a dedicated space for student veterans to socialize and study.
700 University Ave., Room 310
315-443-9297
Monday-Thursday 1-8 p.m. and Friday 1-4 p.m. (Summer hours vary)
VetSuccess on Campus
Encouraging, promoting, and supporting Veterans to be successful in their educational and career endeavors.
Who Can Receive Services?
All student Veterans, Active Duty, and Dependents attending SU can access the Department of Veterans Affairs through a full time VA Counselor.
What type of services are available?
- Guidance and support with your education benefits
- Career exploration and assistance in selecting a suitable career/major
- Electing your healthcare benefits with Veterans Healthcare Administration
- Assistance in understanding common readjustment difficulties and how this may impact school
- Coordinating with school faculty/staff to provide Veteran specific services (i.e. VA Certifying Official, Career Center, Student Disabilities Services, Academic Advising)
- Accessing, understanding, and applying for other VA benefits (i.e. Disability Compensation, Life Insurance, Education, Home Loan Guaranty, and Vocational Rehabilitation)
- Referrals for VA healthcare, medical, and mental health services
- Referrals for readjustment counseling services for eligible Veterans and their families
- Job placement assistance and coordination with Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVER) and Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP)
- Locating community and other resources
Download Flyer: Syracuse University VetSuccess on Campus | Contact: Katherine Untiedt | katherine.untiedt@va.gov | (315) 443-0177
Office Hours: Walk-in appointments Mondays through Fridays, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. at 326G, 700 University Ave.