New York State Division of Veterans Affairs Establishes Office at Alfred State

Counselor will Assist Student Veterans

ALBANY, NY (02/18/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs has established a Veteran Benefits Counseling office within Alfred State College.

The New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs is placing select State Veteran Counselors on college campuses across New York to better serve returning veterans and their families who are pursuing postsecondary study. According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 30 percent more returning veterans are expected to go back to school in the next two to three years. Due in large part to the advent of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, returning veterans are headed to college because of their earned education benefits and the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs wants to serve this growing veteran demographic.

"I want to thank Alfred State College for their outstanding partnership and commitment to helping veteran students, as well as veterans and their families within the community, by offering on-site access to professional veteran benefit counseling services available through our Division." said Division of Veterans' Affairs Director James D. McDonough, Jr.

"As Chair of the Veteran's Affairs Task Force here at Alfred State College, we are truly appreciative of the services that will be provided our veterans and veteran dependents by the New York State Division of Veteran's Affairs. Having the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs on campus is extremely convenient to our students, and helps ensure that our veterans receive the attention they have earned and deserve," said Professor James Grillo, SUNY Distinguished Professor, Business Department, and Alfred State College.

The Division's new office on campus is located in Room 210, Alfred State College, 10 Upper College Drive, Alfred, New York 14802. The mission of the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs is to provide veteran benefit counseling and advocacy services for veteran students enrolled in the college, as well as for all Allegheny County veterans and their families

The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p. m. the third Friday of each month. To schedule an appointment please call Jim Hough at (607) 587-4796.

For more information, please contact Mr. Bill Kraus, Executive Deputy Director, New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs at 518.474.6114 or by e-mail at william.kraus@veterans.state.ny.us.