Ocean County College (OCC) has established a partnership with the Ocean County Veterans Services Bureau to provide veterans attending classes on the college campus with easier access to programs and services. Often, veterans attending college are also working, leaving them with little time to access available services. By having a veterans’ service officer right on campus, veterans can tap into programs more conveniently. This on-campus satellite office is part of the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau's ongoing outreach.
Around 250 veterans attend classes at OCC and Kean University on the same campus in Toms River. The Veterans Service Bureau and the college's Military and Veteran Resource Center Office Director recently met with OCC leadership to develop a partnership and learn what services would be beneficial to their military/veteran student population. As a result, an accredited Veterans Service Officer will be onsite at the college from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every Monday, starting March 20, at the Veteran and Military Resource Center, Room 221 in the Jon and Judith Larson Center on the campus.
Ocean County has the largest veteran population in the state, and the Veterans Service Bureau assists veterans and their dependents in applying for Military and VA benefits that they are entitled to receive. It is considered one of the most effective veterans' service offices in the state. The partnership will allow OCC and Kean students to meet with a representative to learn what benefits are available to them, address any concerns they might have, and apply for VA Healthcare, Compensation, and other benefits.
Ocean County Board of Commissioners Deputy Director Gary Quinn, liaison to the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, commended the staff at the bureau for their ongoing dedication to reach the many veterans that live in Ocean County and assist whenever they can. He noted that working together with strong partnerships like this can make the greatest difference in the lives of veterans. To learn more about available programs and services, interested parties can visit co.ocean.nj.us/oc/veterans/ or call 732-929-2096. For more information on the Ocean County Community College Veteran and Military Resource Center, visit ocean.edu/student-services/veteran.
Here's what you need to know:
- Ocean County College (OCC) is partnering with the Ocean County Veterans Services Bureau to provide on-campus support to veterans attending classes at the college.
- The partnership aims to provide more convenient access to services and programs for veterans who may be working while attending college.
- A veterans’ service officer will be available on campus from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, starting March 20 at the Veteran and Military Resource Center.
- The partnership was established after representatives from the Veterans Services Bureau and OCC's Military and Veteran Resource Center Office Director met to develop a partnership and identify what services would be beneficial to the veteran student population.
