As UNLV observed Veterans Day this week, it was a time to honor and celebrate those who have served and sacrificed. For the university’s Rebel Vet population, there’s nothing like strong community support. 

UNLV’s Academic Advising team is dedicated to helping each student on campus create a personalized approach to achieving their goals and earning their degree. For Travis Bradley, a first-year student worker and veteran, the on-campus support has been vital.

“This is my first semester, but my paperwork with the VA got messed up, and I had to pull out of this fall semester pretty much entirely,” Bradley said. “But working with the Academic Advisors has been very helpful.”

Due to a mix-up with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and slow responses resulting from the recent government shutdown, Bradley was unable to receive the benefits he needed to remain enrolled in most of his classes this fall semester.

“It was a policy issue. I had to switch my major from accounting. I have an Associate’s Degree in Kinesiology, but I didn’t have enough entitlement [from the VA] to cover a four-year degree in accounting. I had to switch to a major where my background in kinesiology helped.”

Thanks to the help of his Academic Advisors and the Easy Day Foundation, Bradley was able to remain a part-time student and avoid withdrawing from classes completely this fall semester.

“My advisor helped me understand which concentration of Nutrition Science would meet my goals. Without her, I wouldn’t have known what to do. I also got a scholarship with the help of the Easy Day Foundation – they were beneficial in providing funds for me to keep going to school and keep working here to help other veterans.” 

Bradley, a student worker at the Military and Veterans Services Center (MVSC), understands firsthand the hurdles many military and veteran students face when pursuing their degrees.

“It’s been a bumpy ride, but it helps to have people who have guided me through this. I knew I was in good hands,” Bradley said. “When you go through this stuff and you’re forced to learn about these policies, it sticks in your brain and you can help other veterans. Not knowing how these things work takes away from your own power. It takes away your ability to do things, so I try to steer people clear of that situation.”

Bradley's most important piece of advice for new military and veteran students is to closely monitor their degree worksheets. 

The degree worksheet is a map of the credits a student is currently taking and must complete to earn their degree. This document is a crucial piece of communication between Academic Advising, the MVSC, and the VA, as all parties must approve it for the VA to provide funding for the student’s education. 

“The MVSC needs the degree worksheet so they can make sure the classes you’re taking are applicable to your degree, and without that, you don't know if the class will be covered by your benefits,” he said. “People tend to freak out about the degree worksheet and when they’re going to receive it, so I would just tell them to learn about it a couple of days before their advising appointment.”

Despite the obstacles, Bradley is stoked to become a full-time student and continue supporting his military and veteran peers.

“It’s been a breeze for me to understand switching my major. Being able to work at the MVSC lets me see the veterans’ side of things. I really like working here.”

Active military and veteran students, including those in the Army and Air Force ROTC programs, are strongly encouraged to schedule an advising appointment with their Academic Advisor each semester to verify accurate enrollment for an upcoming term. Students are also strongly encouraged to review other required documentation, such as the Semester Enrollment Form and 104-R Form, with their Academic Advisors.

Students can connect with their Academic Advisor through the Rebel Success Hub.