Veterans At Farmingdale State College To Benefit From New SUNY Program

FARMINGDALE, NY — The Veterans Enrollment and Support Internship Program was announced by State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr. following his visit to meet student veterans at Farmingdale State College, SUNY announced.

Funding for the initiative will support paid internships for SUNY student veterans at 20 campuses with the strongest veterans' programs, according to SUNY.

Under this program, approximately 20 student veterans will complete an internship in the admissions or enrollment management office on their campus focused on increasing veterans’ enrollment and ensuring enrolled veterans are connected to additional support on campus.

The SUNY Board of Trustees took steps in September to encourage campuses to focus on veterans for recruitment, outreach, pipeline programs, admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and support as part of the network's commitment to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion, according to SUNY.

SUNY educates about 3,000 veterans each year. Veterans, military personnel, and military-connected family members can apply to up to seven SUNY campuses for free, saving up to $350, throughout the year. Each SUNY campus has trained counselors who can assist veterans to get the most out of their GI Bill benefits.

"Veterans bring unparalleled leadership skills, a strong work ethic, and the ability to perform under pressure — qualities that greatly enhance the academic and community life on SUNY campuses, and provide inspiration for others transitioning out of the military to follow," King said in a news release. "By creating the Veterans Enrollment and Support Internship Program we can better ensure that other veterans and military-connected individuals know there is a place for them at SUNY, with financial support and resources to ease their transition to academic life."

Farmingdale State College has the highest percentage of veterans for the size of its student body of any SUNY campus, according to the school. The college has 229 veterans using military benefits, including 10 dependents and 30 National Guard members and reservists.

"As a campus community, we honor and salute our student veterans active-duty service members, guards and reservists, who are a part of our campus community, within New York State, and across the country," Farmingdale State College President John Nader said. "We are incredibly proud to have one of the highest populations of veteran students in the state and provide support for student veterans and reservists at every step in their college journey, from admissions and enrollment, through graduation and beyond with support programs, financial assistance, special services and benefits, alumni engagement and more. I am so grateful to Chancellor King and our elected officials for visiting us today and for recognizing and acknowledging the enormous value we place on our student veteran population."

Once enrolled, students with military connections have resources on campus such as a full-time veterans director, a part-time coordinator, or staff member to assist. At Farmingdale State College, Eric Farina is a full-time director of veterans’ services. He has a total of 14 years of military service in all components of the U.S. Army: Active, Reserve, National Guard and the Active Guard-Reserve program. Farina currently serves as an infantry section leader in Bravo company, 69th Infantry.

"Farmingdale State College takes the term ‘Veteran Friendly Campus’ seriously," Farina said. "It’s not just a term to use to attract student vets. The faculty and staff actually live it. From admissions to registration to day-to-day services, we do our best to put the student first. To show respect for their service to our country in war and peace, we waive certain fees, allow early registration, and provide a dedicated veterans lounge to aid them in their adjustment to campus life. And we do what we can to cut through red tape."

Farmingdale offers priority registration to military-connected students, and waives the following fees for student veterans: intent to enroll fee, vehicle parking fee, orientation fee, housing deposit, fitness center fee, priority room reservation, and the health and wellness center fee.

"[The] announcement of the Veterans Enrollment and Support Internship Program is very important," Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, NYS Assembly Veterans Committee chairperson, said. "The expansion of programs and services for our veterans, military personnel and military-connected students demonstrates SUNY’s commitment to and ongoing support for veteran and military students. These students who served or who are military connected have made significant contributions to maintaining the democracy and freedoms that we enjoy in this country. It is our obligation and privilege to assist them as they continue their education. We know these students will continue to make significant contributions to New York State and to our college campuses and we are proud to provide additional resources that will help engage more veterans and help them thrive during their college experience.”