An Analysis of Supports for Persistence for the Military Student Population

Authors

  • Bruce D Mentzer Liberty University
  • Ellen Lowrie Black Liberty University
  • R. Terry Spohn Liberty University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v19i1.500

Keywords:

Military students, veterans, persistence, military family members, academic support, financial aid, social support, resilience, GI Bill, higher education, support services

Abstract

This study sought to describe the correlation of academic, financial, and social supports to the persistence of a military student population: veterans, active duty, and their families. The study also contrasted these relationships with non-military students and looked at the results of the overall group to persistence. Results confirmed the emphasis in the persistence literature on the importance of academic support mechanisms and noted its positive relationship to the military student population. Financial supports varied for the military student population, nonmilitary population, and the overall group with the military student population negatively impacted by loans, nonmilitary by university scholarships, and the overall group by government grants and aid. As an additional finding for this study, institutional support emerged as a key support mechanism. This study recommends enhancing academic and institutional support for the military student population to reinforce their persistence.

Author Biographies

Bruce D Mentzer, Liberty University

Recent graduate of Liberty University's Doctorate of Education (EdD) program

Ellen Lowrie Black, Liberty University

Department of Education, Professor

R. Terry Spohn, Liberty University

Department of Education, Professor

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Published

2014-11-14

Issue

Section

Military Online Education Research