Veterans & Military-Affiliated

Fresno State faculty and staff are committed to your personal, educational, and professional growth. Here is a recap of some of the departments on campus that can support veteran students:

• Career Development Center (CDC) – The CDC is available to help all students with any career-related questions they might have. You can schedule a one-on-one appointment with a career advisor to discuss anything from major exploration, job outlook, resume and cover letters, interviewing, and more. The CDC also hosts a number of events throughout the year, such as the Fall and Spring Career Fairs. Contact us by email at careers@csufresno.edu or by phone at 559.278.2381 to schedule an appointment.
• Veterans Education Program – Part of the Continuing and Global Education Department, resources for veterans in the community interested in pursuing higher education at Fresno State
• TRIO SSSV (Student Support Services Veterans) – SSSV is a federally funded TRIO grant program under the U.S. Department of Education that serves Veterans, Reservists, Active Duty, and National Guard who are first-generation students, students from low-income backgrounds, and students with a disability.

There are many resources within the campus community to welcome and help student veterans. Here are some helpful programs:

• Veterans Resource Center – The Veterans Resource Center lists benefits available to veteran students including fee waivers, tuition assistance, and more.
• Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) – The SSD offers academic support for students with verified physical, psychological, and learning disabilities. Available accommodations include assistive technology, alternative text formats, testing accommodations, reading and note-taking assistance, sign language interpreting, and campus transportation. For classroom accommodation requests, visit Library Suite 1202 or call 559.278.2811.
  • Also check out the Career Center Student Disability page for more resources.
• Student Health and Counseling Center – In addition to diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, the student health center services include (but are not limited to): Medical Exams, Physical Therapy, Immunizations, Nutrition Counseling, Sexual Health Services, Counseling Services & Psychiatry, On-site X-Ray, Pharmacy & Laboratory.
  • MovingForward Veterans Program – This veterans course offers guidance on addressing common challenges, including managing stress, relationship difficulties, coping with physical injuries, financial struggles, and adjustment issues. It aims to enhance understanding of Veterans’ unique strengths and challenges through education and training provided to the campus community.
  • Veterans Crisis Line – Veterans can chat live with a crisis counselor at any time of day or night. If you are experiencing an emotional crisis, please call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and Press 1, text to 838255, or chat online.
  • Vets Prevail Platform – Vets Prevails is a personalized & confidential behavior change platform where Veterans can help each other to discover issues and overcome challenges.
  • Vet Centers Program – The goal of the Vet Center program is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to eligible Veterans to help them make a satisfying post-war readjustment to civilian life

For veteran student, gaining relevant experience in your chosen field can be difficult. However, there are ways in which you can develop the skills necessary to become a knowledgeable, well-rounded, and competitive member of the workforce:

• Get involved on campus – Fresno State’s Student Involvement Center provides students with a wide variety of opportunities to get involved on campus and develop specialized skills. Student clubs and campus programs are a great opportunity to learn more about your chosen career field, network with other students and professionals, and develop leadership skills necessary for career success!
• Volunteering, interning, and service learning – Even if it’s unpaid, volunteer and interning experience is a great way to build your resume and network. These experiences are opportunities to demonstrate your passion and work ethic and can help you develop the strong people skills needed in today’s job market. Fresno State’s Career Development Center can assist you with questions regarding internships; for more information on service learning, visit the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning – they even have opportunities for grant-funded service experiences via their Central Valley College Corps and Scholars in Service Program !
  • The Career Development Center oversees the Community Service Scholarship Program (CSSP), where eligible students can earn a $645, $1,290 or $1,935  scholarship depending on their circumstances. Contact the Career Development Center by phone at 559.278.2381 or by email at careers@csufresno.edu for more information.
    
    ***NOTE: Be mindful about internship requirements. Many internships require authorization to work in the US. Make sure you know the requirements before applying.
• Engage with these community organizations:
  • TRIO Student Services Veterans – SSSV is a federally funded TRIO grant program under the U.S. Department of Education that serves Veterans, Reservists, Active Duty, and National Guard who are first-generation students, students from low-income backgrounds, and students with a disability.
  • VA VITAL Initiative – The Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) program enhances academic retention and success by providing on-campus clinical care, educating the campus community, and collaborating with VA medical centers, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and community resources.
  • Our Heroes’ Dreams – Non-profit organization comprised of volunteers representing retired and former military and great Americans, who proudly support our Nation’s Heroes: Veterans, Gold Star Families, First Responders and Correctional Officers.
• Join professional associations and get certificated – Professional associations are industry and career-specific organizations that are fantastic opportunities for networking and continued education. Many professional associations host conferences where members can meet to discuss new practices and research, as well as publish newsletters, provide job boards, and host trainings for various certifications. Completing certifications beyond your degree will help you stand out from the crowd. Use CareerOneStop’s Professional Association Finder, or do a web search for “[your career] professional association” to find organizations that are right for you! CareerOneStop also has a Certification Finder tool that can help you explore common certifications by industry!
  
  ***NOTE: Some professional associations require annual payments (or dues) to become a member. Many of these associations offer student memberships at a discounted rate, so take advantage of that while you can!

Fresno State Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships – The Financial Aid Office can assist students with any and all questions regarding scholarship and aid eligibility. Contact the Fresno State Financial Aid department during office hours for assistance with your financial aid-related questions.

• American Corporate Partners – Each year, about 200,000 service members leave the military to seek fulfilling careers in the civilian world.  ACP Mentors have helped almost 13,000 veterans tackle the move from the military to the civilian workforce!
• Employment Development Department – The Employment Development Department (EDD) assists veterans and their eligible spouses to maximize their employment and training opportunities. Veterans are entitled to many resources designed to help in their search for employment.
• Scholarships for Student Veterans
  • Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
  • TRIO SSSV Grant Aid – SSSV Supplemental Grant Aid is offered to qualifying participants each semester. Depending on eligibility, need, and active status participation in SSSV, participants are awarded $750 – $1000 per semester.
  • List of Scholarships – US Veterans Magazine Curated Scholarships List