Record-Setting Enrollment and Scholarship Demand Met by UGA’s Student Veterans Resource Center

The Student Veterans Resource Center celebrated a banner year of enrollment, achievements and most recently, honored student veterans and their families.

The student veteran population at the University of Georgia has increased by 76 percent since July 2021. The Student Veterans Resource Center (SVRC) currently serves 370 students across Athens and three extended campuses including the Buckhead location.

As the number of student veterans and cost of living increase, so has the number of donors funding military-focused scholarships and grants. Through the generous support of more than 30 donors, the SVRC awarded $450,000 in calendar year 2024.

“These numbers are nothing short of amazing, and we have so much to be thankful for. In just a few years, our scholarships and grants have tripled in value, and we are able to support so many more students each semester,” said Jon Segars, director of the SVRC.

On November 7, the SVRC welcomed over 250 students, families and donors to the Tate Student Center Grand Hall for the Fall 2024 Veterans Scholarship Ceremony. A record-setting number of applications were submitted — 206 veterans received scholarships and grants this semester with the awards totaling $260,000.

Food scholarships alone totaled $15,000, reflecting arise in cost of living needs. A major issue is the lack of housing allowances for a large number of student veterans. More than 30 percent of these students do not receive GI Bill benefits, another eight percent receive only partial benefits.

In addition to scholarship recognition, veterans were honored throughout the entire month of November. Students placed a total of 700 American flags in the UGA Memorial Garden located behind the Miller Learning Center. The annual flag placement tradition commemorates the almost 700,000 veterans living in Georgia.

Military photos were submitted by 120 students for the Veterans Appreciation art display located in the Tate Student Center main lobby. Additional events, activities and donor gifts were also enjoyed by student veterans and their families.

The UGA Student Veteran Resource Center has been in operation for more than a decade and is led by Director Jon Segars, a retired Army officer. Assistant Director Mandy Levi and several VA Work Study students round out the staff dedicated to supporting UGA’s student veterans. The Center tailors its services and programs to each veteran with the ultimate goals of easing their transition, improving their UGA experience and facilitating career readiness.

For more information about the SVRC, opportunities available to students, and ways to give, please visit https://svrc.uga.edu/.