ODVA release – The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs today announced that it is now accepting competitive grant applications for its Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program, which helps Oregon veterans succeed in their educational and vocational pursuits by expanding and enhancing Campus Veteran Resource Centers on Oregon college campuses. The 2023 Oregon Legislature has approved up to $1 million for the 2023-25 Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program. The purpose of the Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant is to augment existing campus programs that help veterans successfully transition from military service to college life, succeed in college and complete educational goals, and then transition from college to the workforce and the community. Oregon’s 17 community colleges and seven public universities (excluding Oregon Health & Science University) are eligible to apply for these grant funds. To be eligible for the grant funds, a community college or public university needs to currently have a Campus Veteran Resource Center, a Campus Veteran Resource Coordinator (or intends to hire one prior to the distribution of grant funds), or both. “A post-secondary degree or course of study at a technical or vocation college is a critical gateway for many veterans to transition out of the military into a successful civilian career,” said ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick. “Campus Veteran Resource Centers provide critical veteran resources and offer support networks with other student veterans, which can drastically improve outcomes and help ensure success for student veterans in their educational endeavors and future careers.” The window for new applications for the Oregon Veteran Campus Resource Center Grant Program opens Monday, July 31, 2023, and will close Monday, September 4, 2023. Grant requests can be up to $100,000. A webinar will be hosted at 10 a.m. August 4 to provide additional information about the application process. To register for the webinar, visit app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4c98d102bb1e410296997ecf38134579. For more information about this grant or to apply, visit www.oregon.gov/odva/agency-programs/grants/pages/campus-grant.aspx or contact ODVA Grants Coordinator Brenna Bandstra at brenna.bandstra@odva.oregon.gov or 503-373-2290.
