Veterans & Active Duty Education

Laurel are Veterans' Administration(VA) approved institutions. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

For more information about Laurel's commitment to attracting and supporting military students, contact our Financial Aid and/or Admission department.

Laurel has a chapter of Student Veterans of America.

Student Veterans of America or SVA is a coalition of student veteran groups on college and university campuses across the country and is the only unified voice for veterans actively trying to earn their college degrees today.

SVA empowers Yesterday’s Warriors to Become Today’s Scholars and Tomorrow’s Leaders: Thousands of veterans separate from the military each year only to find an overwhelming combination of emotional, financial, and cultural obstacles standing between them and college education. SVA is dedicated to ensuring these veterans do not slip through the cracks on their journey through higher education toward a better quality of life. SVA does this by:

  • Developing student veterans groups (Chapters) on college campuses and facilitating communication between them
  • Connecting SVA Chapters and schools with resources thereby aiding the veteran’s transition onto campus
  • Advocating on behalf of student veterans at the local, state and national levels

SVA’s mission is to provide military veterans with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and following graduation. SVA is the only veterans' group with an on-campus model. The SVA model depends on Chapters to achieve this mission locally. Chapters are local peer-to-peer support groups or student organizations on college campuses with a mission aimed at assisting fellow student veterans. They are member-based student-led, and student-operated.

SVA’s objective is to develop these local Chapters so that those veterans have the peer-support needed to graduate. Studies have shown that peer-support has been linked to better mental health and academic achievement for returning veterans. SVA unifies these groups in a network of other chapters across the country to form mutual bonds of support so they may thrive.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES: SVA has a variety of programs and services to develop and sustain Chapters as well as assist individual student veterans so they may more likely achieve their academic goals. A complete list and description of each program or service SVA provides are listed on our website. Some of SVA’s most popular programs & services are:

  • Interactive Website
  • Scholarships
  • Internship Support Program
  • Chapter Grants
  • Leadership Institute
  • Conferences & Summits

SVA was built by fellow student veteran leaders. The foundation of SVA is the Chapter. Most SVA Chapters are looking for interested student veterans to get involved with their local groups. If you would like to get involved, volunteer, or join a chapter, please visit our website to see if there is a chapter at your school or in your community. Individual student veterans may also register online to receive full access to SVA’s programs & services and receive updates on news and events.


Laurel Business Institute Signs Statement of Support of the Guard and Reserve

West Virginia Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announces that Douglas Decker, Executive Vice President of Laurel Business Institute, signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve on Thursday, November 7, 2019. The signing ceremony occurred at their Morgantown, WV location. 

The Statement of Support confirms Laurel Business Institute joins other employers in pledging:

  • We fully recognize, honor, and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA). 
  • Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
  • We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists, and Veterans.
  • We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises, and in war.

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all West Virginia employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees,” said Joel Miltenberger, WV ESGR State Vice-Chairman. “Many WV employers provide ‘Above and Beyond’ support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees are mobilized.”

“We really appreciate the men and women who currently serve and all those who have served our country. Laurel Business Institute is grateful for the opportunity to show that appreciation to our veterans and service members as Veterans Day soon approaches,” Douglas Decker said.

When asked about the criteria, Mr. Miltenberger said: “By meeting the Statement of Support criteria, Laurel Business Institute pledges to stand proudly with its Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life. Their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation.”

“Laurel Business Institute joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal agencies, and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces,” Miltenberger added. “By signing the Statement of Support, Douglas Decker is sending a clear message to the employees of Laurel Business Institute that while they are serving their country they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States.

 For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.