The purposes of this study were to provide a profile of the veteran student in higher education and examine the theory that veteran students perform academically as well as nonveteran students. Research questions were categorized into two main areas of study, personal and academic characteristics, for three groups of college students: veteran GI Bill recipients, nonveteran non-aid recipients, and nonveteran aid recipients. The data for this study were drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 (NLS). It was found that veterans were older, predominantly white, single males from a lower socioeconomic status than nonveteran non-aid recipients. Veterans emerged from high school with lower aptitude composite, percentile rank, and grades than nonveterans. It was found that veterans enrolled more often in business programs in public, two-year colleges; completed more certificate programs than two-year or four-year degrees; and received grades comparable to nonveterans. Veterans were employed while students, did not change majors any more often than nonveterans, but did change schools more often. Veterans' reasons for changing majors and schools centered upon their jobs and careers. Fewer veterans continued their education after completion of a four-year degree. Fewer veterans changed their credit load status from full-time to part-time than nonveteran non-aid recipients. More often veterans moved from part-time to full-time status. It was concluded that veterans did perform as well academically as nonveterans in college, even though they did not do as well in high school. Further, there were numerous similarities between veterans who received the GI Bill and nonveterans who received federal financial aid. These results have implications for Congressional and educational leaders. Specific suggestions on ways to utilize the veterans' profile were provided.

Benefits for soldiers follow the formation of ancient and present day armies raised for the purpose of extending the national or state will. Veterans' benefits for defenders of the U.S. emerged during the American colonial period. College benefits began after WWII with the GI Bill of Rights. This study examines the variations in purpose for nationally established educational benefits for veterans and the singular value to the veterans of these 5educational benefits. The study begins with an overview of the history of veterans' benefits. Primary emphasis is then placed on the educational portion of the World War II Servicemen's Readjustment Act and the current educational benefit, the Montgomery GI Bill. As the purpose of awarding educational benefits changed from World War II to the latest U.S. war, the Gulf War of 1990-1991, the economic value to the individual veteran also changed. The WWII GI Bill featured an educational provision intended to keep returning veterans out of the changing economy whereas current GI Bills is intended as a recruiting incentive for an all-volunteer force. Correspondingly, the economic value to the individual veteran has changed. Data supporting this study were extracted from historical documents in primary and secondary scholarly studies and writings, government documents, national newspapers and periodicals, Veterans Administration publications, service newspapers, and anecdotal writings. The study offers conclusions regarding the shifting purposes and economic value and recommends changes to current and future GI Bills. The conclusions of this study are: (a) the purpose of the Montgomery GI Bill is to serve as a recruitment tool for the armed force, whereas the WWII GI Bill emphasized concern over the return of millions of veterans to a changing wartime economy unable to offer full employment and, (b) the present GI Bill funds less than 50% of the costs for a 4-year degree while the first GI Bill fully funded a college degree, including tuition and living expenses.

The purpose of this study is to learn from test results of veterans of World War II and from a background of their education prior to service whether there is any correlation between these test results and the number of years spent in school.

This thesis shows trends and tendencies in the development of adult education during the twentieth century. The author also proposes a plan for the education of returning G.I.'s.

Determining the effects of military service on those who volunteer is of vital importance in an age when service may lead to the loss of bodily function or life. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of military service with consideration for the demographic statuses of race, gender, and educational attainment on economic outcomes. Data for this study came from the Current Population Survey July 2010 with Veterans Supplement (N=83,000). Results from this study suggest that some veterans, namely those of minority racial status and lower educational attainment benefit from their military serve by achieving increased levels of household income as compared to similar non-veterans. Conversely, non-Hispanic White veterans and those with higher levels of educational attainment suffer negative consequences to levels of household income. Furthermore, differences among veterans were assessed. These results provide further insight into the experiences of veterans in the United States.