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DVA grant a leg-up for veterans transition

Australian Catholic University will develop a dedicated app to coach veterans through their transition to higher education thanks to a funding boost from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Five2Study app, the first of its type in Australia, was among scores of projects to benefit from more than $5.5 million in grant funding to help improve the lives of veterans, defence personnel and their families.

Once developed, the app will become a companion for those looking to reduce the complexities of study and ease the stress of adjustment from a defence career into campus life.

It will offer targeted support to veterans, including interactive resources, health support and connection to the peer network of ACU’s vibrant Student Veteran Services community.

“This project will build on what we already know about making a successful transition to higher education,” ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Zlatko Skrbis said.

“There are many challenges associated with that journey, but the aim is to utilise their strengths such as leadership, work ethic, resilience and teamwork to orientate veterans via the app towards student life.”

Under the Veteran Wellbeing Grants program, ACU will receive $150,000 to develop and deliver the Five2Study app.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said Veteran Wellbeing Grants were designed to boost funding for organisations providing new projects and improvements to current initiatives that enhance the health and wellbeing of Australian veterans and families.

“It’s fantastic to see new and exciting programs that organisations are implementing, including music programs and gardening,” he said.

Australian Catholic University is the nation’s destination provider of veteran tertiary education programs. More than 250 student veterans study across ACU’s eight campuses.

Among the university’s sector-leading initiatives is the Veteran Entry Program (VEP) that assesses military service and rank and converts both to a higher education entry rank that enables veterans direct entry into dozens of courses.