At least two months after the end of the Iraq War combat operations, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry is trying to make campus more veteran friendly the week of Veteran’s Day.

The Office of Counseling and Disabilities Services will host a Veteran’s Forum Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. in Moon Library. The forum will focus on student and faculty input to make ESF more welcoming to veterans, according to the college’s website.

ESF already provides special benefits for veterans and their families through the Office of Financial Aid. Children of parents who suffered severe disability or died during their military service are eligible for the Regents Grant or the Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans Grants. These awards offer New York state residents up to $450 per year. 

Syracuse University recently made an effort to improve life for veterans on campus with the opening of the Veterans Resource Center Nov. 11, 2009, according to a Nov. 12 article published in The Daily Orange. Along with the center, SU is home to the Student Veterans Club, which offers peer-to-peer networking for student soldiers and veterans, according to a Nov. 4 Daily Orange article.

Veterans and children of disabled or deceased veterans are also eligible for financial aid under the Veteran’s Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966. 

ESF veterans also qualify for federal benefits through the GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008. 

Veterans who have served at least 90 days of active duty service since 9/11 are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, which increase with the amount of time served in active duty, according to the SUNY website. The benefits cover up to the cost of the most expensive public university in the state and some private schools.

The Post-9/11 benefits, similar to the World War II era GI Bill benefits, provide tuition payments to the university, as well as a monthly living stipend and $1,000 book and supply stipend to recipients.

In addition to the center and club, SU participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides full coverage for the cost of attending private schools not covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, according to SU’s Veteran Resource Center website.