Veterans
Veterans
If you are experiencing any issues related to being a veteran including academic, financial or adjustment issues, please contact our Veterans Resource Center at VeteransMilitarySerices@sa.ucsb.edu or visit their website.
Campus Resources & Support
Veterans and Military Services Office (Bldg. 434, Rm. 125)
Initial point of contact for military-related students. VMS services and the Veterans Resource Center are open to ALL military-related students! VMS is more than just military benefit information, it’s a way to connect to the military community on and outside of campus.
veteranmilitaryservices@sa.ucsb.edu
Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships/VA Certifying Official
Initial point of contact for all financial questions (VA/CalVet, student accounts, housing)
Provides financial assistance for student veterans
Resources for LGBTQ Veterans
UCSB Veterans & Military Services
Veterans and Military Services (VMS) at UCSB exists to support you in your transition to and through our academic community. No matter what you need assistance with-navigating and receiving your educational benefits, finding housing, or just support during your journey-VMS is your first stop as well as your strongest advocate on campus. We provide services and resources to all military-related students at UCSB, including active/reserve and National Guard members, as well as spouses and dependents.
Whether you are a future, current, or past student, we hope that the information you’ll find on these pages is helpful. If you have questions, would like to get involved, or are interested in supporting our efforts, please reach out to us at VeteransMilitaryServices@sa.ucsb.edu.
VA LGBT Program
All Veterans are welcome at VA, even those who identify as a sexual or gender minority. Sexual and gender minority Veterans have faced stigma and discrimination, which can affect health. As a healthcare institution, we need to work to make sure that Veterans with LGBT and related identities know that they are welcome at VA.
Veterans for Diversity
To promote awareness of the problems with PTSD and MST and ask for support in the healing program we promote. Develop resources veterans can use to further them in civilian life. Bring awareness to civilians in the do's and don'ts when conversing with veterans. Promote diversity in respects to all veterans regardless of race, gender identity/expression, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or age.
Transgender American Veterans Association
The group had been formed to specifically discuss the various issues facing transgender veterans who had to deal with the VA medical facilities and for other health-related issues. The people in the group talked about several things and at one time: everyone began talking about their experiences with different VA facilities across the country. Some on the list had great experiences, while others elsewhere had horrible ones. Many on the list thought that they had no choice but to take it. This would be the best they could ever expect from the VA.
The Soldiers Project
With help from colleagues and friends, The Soldiers Project launched as a sponsored project of the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies Trauma Center. For many years, the organization relied solely on the generosity of volunteers and pro bono mental health professionals. In September 2010, The Soldiers Project was incorporated as 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and began to hire its first professional staff.
Since then, The Soldiers Project has provided free and confidential treatment to thousands of military service members and their families, and provided trainings in best clinical practices to thousands of clinicians via in-person conferences, symposia and online webinars.
Make the Connection
MTC is a portal by which veterans who may be thinking about seeking treatment, or noticing symptoms that affect their quality of life, can actually feel less alone by hearing stories from other veterans with similar experiences, backgrounds, or identities. The LGBTQ community is an important part of the veteran population, and while many campuses have offices for veteran support, not every veteran chooses to engage in that community after their time in service or on campus. Their mission is to make sure that every veteran is aware of these resources, and even if they aren't having issues, arm them with the resources which can help their fellow service members should the need arise.Veterans Associations and Organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces.Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
The Disabled American Veterans is an organization created by the United States Congress for disabled military veterans of the United States Armed Forces that helps them and their families through various means. It currently has nearly 1.3 million members.
The American Legion
The American Legion, commonly known as the Legion, is an organization of U.S. war veterans headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is made up of state, U.S. territory, and overseas departments, and these are in turn made up of local posts.
AMVETS
American Veterans, is a non-partisan, volunteer-led organization formed by World War II veterans of the United States military. It advocates for its members as well as for causes that its members deem helpful to the nation at large.
Student Veterans of America
Student Veterans of America, is a 501 non-profit organization focused on addressing the needs and concerns of American military veterans in higher education. SVA is best known for being an umbrella organization for student veterans' groups that advocates for improvements in veterans educational benefits.
Additional Resources
Veterans Administration Website
Provides near-comprehensive healthcare services to eligible military veterans at VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country; several non-healthcare benefits including disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance; and provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members at 135 national cemeteries.
Here you can:
- Get a list of VA hospitals and community outreach centers
- Find connections for veterans to health benefits
- 5 year eligibility for no-cost health care for conditions related to service
- Inquire about mental health treatment
- See Vet Centers for outpatient mental health treatment
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, as part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, supports and conducts biomedical and behavioural research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a United States federal-government research institute whose mission is to "lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction."
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. Congress established the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 1992 to make substance use and mental disorder information, services, and research more accessible
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of 161 crisis centers that provides a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
1 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Press 1 for Veterans
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a voluntary health organization based in New York, NY, with a public policy office based in Washington, D.C., and local chapters in all 50 states in the United States. The organization’s stated mission is to “save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center at EDC is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).