The goal of the Veterans to Careers initiative is to enhance the quality of life for military members, just completing their service, by assisting them in applying for a part-time position with local businesses and organizations while earning a college degree. Veterans participating in the Veterans to Careers Program will have access to the GI Bill Veterans benefit or other federal support and will be enrolled full-time with either institution. Ideally, the veteran student will earn a degree in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and upon graduation they will be considered for employment meeting the region’s future workforce needs.

Participating companies will commit to hire one to five veteran students and provide fifteen (15) to twenty (20) hours of work each week in a position of need but ideally related to a student’s field of study. Each Veteran to Career participant will be paid a maximum of $9.00per hour for the first semester; thereafter, the participating company may award incentive increases based on company policies.

During a student’s final semester of education, participating companies should notify participants of any full-time employment opportunities, based on company needs, which may exist upon their successful completion of the program of study. If employment opportunities are unavailable, participants could be referred to other participating companies. Availability of fringe benefits may vary based on company policy. Company representatives will provide information about such benefits at the time of the interview/selection process. Students will be referred to participating companies based on an application process reviewed by the college representative and agreed upon by participating companies.

• Attend and earn a GPA of 2.5 at Aiken Technical College or USC Aiken for a minimum of one semester of full-time study to demonstrate a commitment to academic study prior to applying for the program.
• A Veterans to Careers participant is expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be a full-time student (at least 12 semester hours Fall and Spring and 9 semester hours Summer).
• If a participant’s GPA falls below the established GPA requirement, the participant may be placed on academic probation. Exceptions to this will be handled on an individual basis.
• Additional work hours are contingent upon the company’s need for the participant to work overtime, however the requirements outlined in item 1-3 will still be maintained
• Each semester, Aiken Technical College or USC Aiken advisors will evaluate the Veterans to Careers participants’ academic performance. Aiken Technical College or USC Aiken will ascertain academic progress each semester through the early alert process which identifies students having problems.
• Participating companies may request/suggest the participant to take additional courses and/or to meet other academic or work standards to enhance their future employability with the company.

Please complete the Aiken Veterans to Careers Commitment Form below and MOA. Once you submit the forms our office will forward available Veterans to Careers participants for your review. Contact our office if you have any questions.