What Sets Us Apart
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology believes that
veterans should not just receive assistance, but more importantly,
support. Our "village of support" is campus- and
community-wide:
- Veterans Resource Center (VRC) for veterans, active duty
members, and families
- Over 6% of faculty/staff are veterans
- On-site VA benefits adviser/VA certifier
- Veterans' orientation
- Ranked #2 in nation by Military Times Edge magazine in their
annual "Best for Vets: Colleges" survey
- Designated a Military Friendly School for 4 consecutive years
by G.I. Jobs magazine
- Ranked #7 in nation by BestCollegesOnline.com in their May 2012
article "25 Colleges With Incredible Veteran Support"
- Per Businessweek magazine in September of 2012, School of Mines graduates earn higher starting salaries that Harvard University's graduates
- Student success workshops
- Faculty/staff training on veterans' issues, PTSD, TBI
- Veterans' Day celebrations
- SVA-affiliated Veterans Club
- Veterans Upward Bound affiliation
- In-state tuition for all veterans
- Army ROTC on campus since 1918 (Mount Rushmore Battalion)
- Close proximity to Ellsworth Air Force Base and the South
Dakota National Guard Headquarters at Camp Rapid
- Regular, monthly visits to VRC by veterans' representative from
the South Dakota Department of Labor and the patient advocate from
the VA Black Hills Health Care System
- Women Veterans Wellness Workshops
Pre-college preparation classes in math, computers, and writing
(free of charge through Veterans Upward Bound)
- VRC Coordinator assists with scholarship searches and
resume-writing
- University scholarships specifically for veterans
- VRC Coordinator is member of Black Hills Area Veterans
Coordinating Commission
- VRC Coordinator is regular, monthly presenter at local
Ellsworth AFB TAP program