FSCJ Receives Grant to Establish Veteran Student Success Center

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) received a three-year, $500,000 grant from Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) to enhance postsecondary educational opportunities for Veterans living in Duval and Nassau counties. The grant will be used to create the FSCJ Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success within the existing Military and Veterans Services program.

Each year, the Center aims to work with 350-plus Veteran participants, coordinating and customizing services to address their academic, financial, physical and social needs. The wraparound support offerings will enhance the student experience, encourage program persistence and lead to greater success following completion.

“We know that many military members choose to stay in our area for their end-of-duty residence. We are honored to have the opportunity to provide educational options and holistic services that aid them in achieving their goals for the future,” said College President John Avendano, Ph.D. “We are working hard to strengthen our position as a military friendly institution and, thanks to this grant, we are able to take this next step to better support this segment of our student population and their specific needs.”

FSCJ’s Military and Veteran Services acts as a strategic internal partner to existing academic and cocurricular programs within the College, modeling excellence in support of and engagement with active-duty military, Veterans and their dependents. Resources are allocated to provide specialized academic advising, increased staffing to process GI Bill benefits, coaches to connect students with academic and personal resources, and ongoing support with the transition to civilian life.

For more information, visit fscj.edu/military-veterans/.