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Lately on the Blog
Learn how to reframe military operational experience into language civilian recruiters understand. Golden Gate University's Military Career Coach helps veterans and service members articulate operational achievements and technical skills on corporate resumes.
Transform your military training into university degree credits at Golden Gate University. Learn how evaluating Joint Services Transcripts and professional military education accelerates your degree completion, saving time and tuition costs as a military-connected student.
Active duty service members and military spouses can access Golden Gate University degree programs and Diller Center support from anywhere worldwide. Learn how fully digital resources and virtual coaching keep your academic progress steady regardless of your location.
Golden Gate University integrates practical AI tools into business and legal studies. Active service members and veterans learn how to apply domain-specific technologies directly to real-world tasks, building competitive digital skills while earning their degrees from anywhere.
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Benefits
This guide explains how military and VA education benefits may be used at Golden Gate University. It outlines common benefit types, basic eligibility considerations, enrollment certification steps, and GGU resources available to military-connected students seeking to understand their options.
Veterans returning to civilian life often use the GI Bill®️ to fund their education, but did you know additional scholarships are available to support your academic journey? Beyond the GI Bill®️, various organizations recognize the sacrifices made by our military personnel and offer financial assistance to help them achieve their educational goals.
The GI Bill®️ is a game-changer for service members transitioning from active duty to civilian life. It's a powerful tool that can pave the way for a successful career by providing educational benefits.
Embarking on the journey to higher education as a student veteran utilizing the GI Bill®️ is a big step. With many options available, selecting the right college is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your academic and personal success. Adopting a personalized approach to finding the college that suits your unique needs and aspirations is essential.
First-time university students often need help with the various grading options available in colleges and universities. Just as the military has its jargon and acronyms, navigating higher education well involves learning new academic and institutional vocabulary.
You've applied and been admitted to your program of choice. You have initiated your GI Bill®️ Benefits to cover your tuition and fees. Your military housing allowance (MHA) has been determined and approved by the VA. Before you begin your classes, there is another benefit that you can expect to receive: the book and supply stipend.
During the summer months, it might feel like you're approaching a crossroads – as it does for many student veterans. Do you continue your classes and maintain your scholarly momentum or need a break from classes and assignments? For this test, there is no wrong answer. However, there are three significant considerations to remember when determining if taking courses during the summer term is right for you.
Whether you are just in the information-gathering or consideration stages of beginning or restarting your education or confidently approaching the starting line, there are a few factors to keep in mind. To be successful, these five steps are crucial.
Miles is a commissioned officer in the National Guard with over 20 years of military experience. This post will discuss his role as the Military Student Onboarding Coach and how he supports military students at GGU.
Helpful Tips
You've crossed the stage, received your diploma, and now the real adventure begins – navigating the job market. Transitioning from college to the professional world can be exciting and daunting. However, you can pave the way for a successful career with a strategic approach and mindset.
Most students will feel stuck at some point during the educational process. Whether it's related to academic decisions, career choices, or personal life, many individuals find themselves at a crossroads, overwhelmed by the complexity of decision-making.
Student veterans often juggle the demands of coursework, assignments, and exams while maintaining family commitments. These five essential tips will help you navigate between your roles.
Ten tips to help you excel in your studies and maximize your university experience.
Bridget Leach, LCSW of the San Francisco VA Health Care System, shares about outreach, enrollment, and coordinating care in the Bay Area for Student Veterans.
Whether you are just in the information-gathering or consideration stages of beginning or restarting your education or confidently approaching the starting line, there are a few factors to keep in mind. To be successful, these five steps are crucial.
Meet Jenna Piva Laramie, the Career Programs and Outreach Manager at the Helen Diller Center for Veterans of US Military Service at Golden Gate University. Jenna has an 11-year military spouse background, and her experiences have led her to help military-connected students with their career development. In this blog post, we will get to know Jenna, her professional background, her connection to the military, and the services she offers specifically at the Diller Center.
Miles is a commissioned officer in the National Guard with over 20 years of military experience. This post will discuss his role as the Military Student Onboarding Coach and how he supports military students at GGU.
Huge list of scholarship opportunities for veterans, military spouses, and family members.
Community
Learn what makes a successful mentorship relationship for military-connected students at Golden Gate University. Discover practical mentorship strategies, communication tips, and networking guidance that support academic success, career development, and long-term professional growth through meaningful mentor connections.
At Golden Gate University, military-connected students don’t navigate higher education alone. From the Diller Center and Veteran Ambassadors to SVA, faculty, and peers, discover how a strong support network can guide your academic progress, professional development, and overall student experience.
After 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, Todd Farley began a new mission at Golden Gate University. Supported by GGU's veteran-focused resources, he's earning his master's in Human Resource Management and proving that military skills can lead to success in the classroom and beyond.
Mentorship works like compounding interest—small, consistent investments now yield long-term growth. Discover how student veterans can build a mentorship network that multiplies academic, professional, and personal success.
Finding the right mentor can be a game-changer for veteran students. Whether you seek academic guidance, career advice, or personal support, there are many ways to connect with mentors who understand your journey and can guide you to success.
Virtual communities offer invaluable support for student veterans. By participating in these communities, veterans can access academic support, peer-to-peer connections, and a sense of camaraderie. Whether through success coaches, mentorship, or social interactions, these communities help veterans navigate the challenges of academic life and achieve their goals.
Building a solid and supportive network is crucial for success, and luckily, several outstanding organizations and resources are available.
Learn why staying connected with your student veteran community over winter break supports well-being, continuity, and a smoother return to campus.
As the new semester begins, now is the perfect time for student veterans to find their campus community. Discover how joining a veteran student group can enhance your college experience in meaningful, practical ways.
Discover how veteran student organizations help build community, provide support, and create leadership opportunities for student veterans. Learn how joining or leading a VSO lets you give back and stay connected on campus.
Finding the right mentor can be a game-changer for veteran students. Whether you seek academic guidance, career advice, or personal support, there are many ways to connect with mentors who understand your journey and can guide you to success.
Virtual communities offer invaluable support for student veterans. By participating in these communities, veterans can access academic support, peer-to-peer connections, and a sense of camaraderie. Whether through success coaches, mentorship, or social interactions, these communities help veterans navigate the challenges of academic life and achieve their goals.
As veterans transition from military life to civilian life, many pursue higher education as a pathway to a new career. Adapting to campus life and the academic environment may seem daunting, but the journey can be fulfilling and successful with careful planning and the right mindset.
Embarking on the journey of higher education as a student veteran can be exciting and challenging. Unlike the typical high school graduate, you bring a wealth of life experiences, diverse perspectives, and a unique set of skills to the table.
You've crossed the stage, received your diploma, and now the real adventure begins – navigating the job market. Transitioning from college to the professional world can be exciting and daunting. However, you can pave the way for a successful career with a strategic approach and mindset.
The long-term impact of mentorship transcends the academic realm. Students who have benefited from mentorship often pay it forward, becoming mentors themselves. This perpetuates a cycle of support and guidance within the military-connected community, nurturing a culture of mutual assistance and solidarity.
If you are looking for things to experience and enjoy this Veterans Day weekend in San Francisco, you are in luck. Check out these fun and festive opportunities to enjoy the Bay Area and beyond.
GGU Veteran Alumni Stories
After 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, Todd Farley began a new mission at Golden Gate University. Supported by GGU's veteran-focused resources, he's earning his master's in Human Resource Management and proving that military skills can lead to success in the classroom and beyond.
Meet Taylor Siemen—a veteran, full-time employee, father, and GGU student in accounting and data analytics. Discover how he balances it all while using his experience to help fellow veterans thrive.
Golden Gate University is committed to supporting student veterans. Periodically, we share stories of distinguished alums who have connected their military service and higher education experience to continue contributing to their communities.
I attribute the MBA I received from Golden Gate University with contributing to me getting my final two positions—Deputy Auditor General of the Navy and Auditor General of the Army.
As a result of being named the Outstanding Graduate of the Masters Health Care Administration program in 1983, I was promoted to Colonel in 1989. After I retired from Active Duty in January, 1997 I was selected to be the Vice President of Clinical and Support Services at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, California. All of these successes I owe to Golden Gate University.
I completed my MBA at GGU in 1972. Having earned a teaching credential in the meantime, I was hired by GGU to teach some undergrad courses at Travis. I managed to squeeze in the LSAT while back East, and after completing my tour of duty, Dean J. Lani Bader saw fit to allow me to enter the Law School. I earned my J.D. in 1980.
Dr. Roger Kemp, Adjunct Professor in the Ageno School of Business at Golden Gate University, shares how he used his GI Bill®️ to open up opportunities in public administration and beyond.
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Recent Posts
A Guide to Budgeting for Summer Classes and Living Expenses
Get practical guidance on managing summer finances, from setting up a budget and covering living costs to finding seasonal work and preparing for fall classes—all designed to help you stay financially balanced during transitional academic months.
Pathways and Possibilities for Veterans in STEM
Explore top resources for veterans pursuing STEM careers, from scholarships to coding bootcamps. Discover programs, mentorships, and clubs to support your transition from military service to high-demand science, tech, engineering, and math fields.
Thriving in Non-Traditional Degree Programs
Student veterans in non-traditional degree programs thrive thanks to flexible learning, career-aligned paths, and built-in support. Learn how your program supports long-term success—and why research backs it up.
A Student Veteran’s Guide to Staying Grounded During the Summer Months
Navigate the transition from spring to summer with confidence. This guide helps student veterans maintain balance, protect healthy habits, and stay connected to their goals, ensuring steady progress during the academic break and beyond.
Ready to Launch? Building a Post-College Life That Works for You
Navigate life after college with confidence. This guide for military-connected students offers uplifting, practical tips on building a career, choosing a location, and designing a post-grad life that reflects your values, strengths, and goals. Your launch starts here.
Summer Internship Prep for Veterans
Get ready for summer internships with practical advice for student veterans. Learn how to use your military experience, navigate applications, and maximize internship opportunities to build valuable skills and advance your career goals.
Move Your Degree Forward: Using Military Credits to Advance Your Academic Path
Discover how student veterans can effectively apply military training toward college credit. Learn strategies to integrate your experience into your degree, accelerate academic progress, and use your VA benefits for a successful transition from service to campus.
More Than a Status: The Quiet Work of Redefining Yourself After the Military
Explore a thoughtful explanation of how student veterans can navigate identity after military service, balancing pride in the past with the freedom to grow.
Building Community with Veteran Student Organizations
Discover how veteran student organizations help build community, provide support, and create leadership opportunities for student veterans. Learn how joining or leading a VSO lets you give back and stay connected on campus.
How to Recognize the Signs of Academic Burnout and What to Do About It
Learn how student veterans can spot the early signs of academic burnout and bounce back with purpose. Investigate practical recovery strategies and support networks to stay motivated, connected, and on track.
The Compounding Interest of Mentorship Opportunities
Mentorship works like compounding interest—small, consistent investments now yield long-term growth. Discover how student veterans can build a mentorship network that multiplies academic, professional, and personal success.
GGU Named Top 10 Military Friendly® and Military Spouse Friendly® School
Golden Gate University (GGU) has once again been recognized as a national leader in military and veteran education, earning two prestigious honors in the 2025–2026 Military Friendly® rankings.
How to Align Digital Learning with Digital Community
Discover strategies for aligning digital learning with the digital community as a student veteran. Learn how to balance academic success with peer engagement and build valuable connections through online tools and focused communities.
Spring Wellness: Staying Active as a Busy Student
Spring wellness is essential for student veterans juggling academics and responsibilities. Learn time-efficient strategies to stay active, manage stress, and build long-term habits that fuel success in school, career, and beyond. Start small, stay consistent, and thrive.
Should Student Veterans Still Apply for Scholarships?
Student veterans should still apply for scholarships. Beyond financial benefits, scholarships offer networking, career opportunities, and resume-building advantages. Learn why applying for scholarships is a smart move for your education and future success.
Creating a LinkedIn Profile That Highlights Military Experience
Learn how to create a LinkedIn profile that translates your military experience into valuable career skills. Discover strategies to stand out, engage with your network, and position yourself for success in your next professional chapter.
Are Accelerated Learning Options the Right Choice for Veterans?
Veterans considering accelerated education should think beyond speed and evaluate whether fast-tracked degrees align with their career goals. Explore the pros and cons of these programs and discover alternative strategies for long-term success.
Stress Management Tips for Midterms
Get stress management tips for midterms, including time management strategies, study techniques, and self-care advice for student veterans balancing school, work, and family. Stay organized, avoid burnout, and succeed without the added stress during midterm season.
Scholarship Opportunities for Military Spouses and Dependents
Pursuing higher education as a military spouse or dependent can be challenging, but with the correct information and preparation, scholarship opportunities can make it more affordable and accessible.
Why You Should Consider Attending a Career Fair and How to Prepare
Whether you are searching for your first civilian job or seeking advancement, the career fair is a powerful tool to help you take the next step in your professional journey. Learn 10 out-of-the-box hacks and tips to prepare with confidence.
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