Veterans Access Program (VAP)
The UNCG School of Nursing launched the Veterans Access Program (VAP) for Nurses in 2015. The program provides military veterans, active reservists, and active duty military access and specialized support in an innovative educational program to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and be employed in the high demand field of nursing. Individualized plans of study allow some Veteran students who had medical military specialties (MOS) the ability to accelerate through the program. The faculty have received specialized training with materials from the Bob Woodruff Foundation and From Soldier to Student II (McBain, et al. 2012) to support student success.
WHO CAN APPLY?
- Armed Forces Veterans from any branch, including past service in the Reserves or National Guard
- Current members of the Reserves and National Guard
- Active-duty military who are applying into a commissioning program
- Applicants with a Department of Defense designation as a Veteran on their DD-214
- Note: Persons dishonorably discharged are not eligible.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Fill out a VAP application form.
- Applicants should designate admission to the nursing major and must meet the equivalent of the required pre-requisite courses for the nursing program.
- Submit military coursework and experience as a portfolio for individual course credit evaluation by nursing faculty
- Complete a UNCG undergraduate application, which may require submission of transcripts, contact information, and names of previous colleges and universities.
“IN THE MILITARY, YOU ARE USED TO PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. IN THIS PROGRAM, YOU EXPERIENCE THE SAME—THERE ARE DIVERSE TYPES OF PEOPLE IN ALL DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS, WHO WERE WILLING TO WORK WITH ME AND HELP ME LEARN. IT’S AN AMAZING ATMOSPHERE.”
– R. GOODWIN, UNCG VAP STUDENT
MILITARY FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT
All active duty (including National Guard and reservists) along with veterans can now apply to UNCG with no application fees. Starting in Fall 2023, all activity-duty, veterans and anyone who uses military educational benefits will get priority registration for classes.
UNC Greensboro is among the Top 10 “Military Friendly” institutions across the country, and now it’s one of the Top 10 “Military Spouse Friendly” schools.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
UNCG currently provides veterans with counseling, academic skills, library, computer and study rooms, a Student Veterans Association, and a UNCG VA Certifying Official. In addition, VAP students will have access to:
- Individualized consideration for application, clinical placement, and post-graduation hiring
- Learning Communities to provide group support upon reentering school and moving forward in the nursing program
- A VAP Study Room and a part-time counselor to support students
- A tutor to assist with computer skills, study habits, nursing content, and RN licensure (NCLEX) test-taking skills
- Assistance preparing for the RN licensure NCLEX examination
- The UNCG Student Veterans Association, which holds social gatherings, assists students’ understanding of how to succeed in college, and shares information on campus services for veterans
- UNCG Veteran’s Ally program, which provides faculty mentor support
- Information and campus sessions for family members to learn about services they may access and discuss how the VAP program will impact schedules, finances, employment, and roles.
- VAP students should seek the advice of the UNCG VA Certifying Official regarding filing for benefits.
- The Post-9/11 GI Bill (PL 110-252, Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008) provides tuition, books, supplies, counseling support and a living stipend, and educational support depending on your status and usage.
- UNCG has a Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding (DoD MOU) and Yellow Ribbon designation which may offset most of the out-of-state charges for eligible recipients that are not North Carolina residents. The UNCG Veteran Students Support Fund helps veteran students pay educational costs, depending on funding availability.
VAP students are advised by nursing faculty and/or staff who are military veterans and understand the unique needs of military and veteran students. Opportunities for social engagement and networking amongst VAP students is provided.
Students will receive assistance in how to fill out job applications for hospitals and other facilities, how to write resumes and how to interview for nursing jobs. Cone Health will hold sessions with nurse managers, human resources and nurse recruiters to help graduates understand what positions are available and how to apply either by paper or internet. To date, VAP students have had 100% job placement on graduation.
UNCG allows withdrawal from courses without academic penalty in cases of deployment. Further, the UNC system has a liberal policy of transfer credit between campuses, and if persons are deployed to domestic installations, UNC system credit is available in many parts of the state. Transfer credit from other universities will be reviewed in conjunction with the Vice Chancelor for Student Affairs, the UNCG VA Certifying Official, and the Dean of the School of Nursing. It is possible that courses may be delivered through electronic mechanisms. See the UNCG Military Call-Up Policy for additional information.
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