Date of Award

12-6-2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Thomas Barrett

Abstract

Student persistence in college has been a challenge since higher education began. One driving factor affecting a student’s ability to remain in college is that of finances. As life circumstances change, so do the financial resources required to support daily living and as these resources become scarce, a student’s ability to pay for college is negatively impacted, often resulting in a student’s inability to complete their degree. One specific group of students, military veterans, are entitled to educational benefits than can lessen the impact of financial stressors associated with attending a college or university. While no apparent formal reporting requirement exists for colleges and universities, this educational benefit use and subsequent student success rates are difficult to track. This study conducted a secondary data analysis using the latest available National Survey of Veterans compiled by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) in 2010 to assess the impact of student demographics, veteran transition training, and service-related stressors on the veteran’s degree completion rate. Using logistic regression, it was determined that none of the variables in this study were significant in impacting the outcome of the conceptual model proposed. While no variables were determined to be significant, there is significance as it relates to future studies and future surveys conducted by the VA. Conducting more frequent veteran surveys with questions specifically targeting educational benefits, their use and student success would be beneficial to the VA, military veterans, and the colleges and universities veterans chose to attend.

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