The Ohio State University Impact Report: 3rd & Goal Peer 2 Peer Sponsorship Program

Below is our impact report* for the spring semester 2024-2025 academic year for the 3rd & Goal Peer 2 Peer Sponsorship Program at The Ohio State University.

• Seven Peer Sponsors served the entirety of the semester.

• Peer Sponsors connected with their 49 assigned new Veteran students and eased their transitions in every area from orientation through academic success.

• Peers served military-connected students with 655 phone calls, 136 in-person drop-ins, and 4 email inquiries in addition to the weekly emails that are sent to our new Veteran students.

• Peers aided military students regarding 480 transition issues/GI Bill certifications, 22 other education benefit questions, 47 Veterans Success on Campus Counselor questions, 56 academic advising conversations, 4 mental and physical health referrals, 27 admissions inquiries, and 205 other transition requests.

• Our Peers also assisted in numerous programs including the second FAFSA Workshop, a women veteran's dinner and social, and study sessions at coffee shots.

  
  

We strive for personal, and sometimes powerful, connections between our Peers and the new student veterans they serve. One Peer Sponsor recounted: "There was one student who came into the office, who separated from active duty not too long ago. They couldn’t decide which GI Bill chapter to apply for (Post 9/11 or VR&E). I found myself in the same boat when I separated from the Air Force, so I knew how conflicting, confusing, and stressful it could be. I explained the differences between both chapters and asked about their educational goals. I realized they had a similar goal to me, and I suggested they used VR&E. They asked about my experience with the chapter, and I’ve had nothing but great experiences so far. The student definitely looked relieved, compared to when they first walked into the office."

Another Peer Sponsor shared: “One of the student veterans in my Peer 2 Peer group emailed me asking for help in receiving the monthly stipend from her GI Bill Chapter 1606. Once I confirmed that she was verifying her enrollment through the proper channels, I gave her the phone number for the GI Bill hotline and recommended that she reach out for assistance. She emailed me back a week later saying that after calling the GI Bill hotline, the VA was able to clear up the error and pay her the stipends she had missed.”

Lastly, a Peer Sponsor reported: “One day, a student veteran and a gentleman from his unit came into the office. The student seemed to be my age, and straight out of boot camp a few months prior. He was concerned about whether he would be able to qualify for the GI Bill or any educational benefit in general for that matter. I was able to get him all the information he needed while having a great conversation with him and the senior enlisted soldier accompanying him. I just helped the same student veteran again the other day, when he came into the office happily expressing that the benefits went through and that he

was able to get back paid for this current semester.”

*Impact numbers provided by The Ohio State University.