Durham, NH – On September 14, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) met with leadership from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to discuss UNH’s efforts to support its student veterans and to tour the Agricultural Experiment Research Station at Woodman Farm in Durham. In addition to learning about UNH’s current initiatives to support students who have served or are serving in the military and their families, Kuster also highlighted her own steps in Congress to ensure that veterans have access to quality and affordable educational opportunities when they return from their service.

“I was pleased to get the chance to meet with UNH leaders and community members to hold this important discussion on how we can work together to best support student veterans attending the University and their families,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “When our brave men and women return home from serving in the Armed Forces, it is our responsibility to ensure that they can pursue higher education without adding undue stress as they transition back to civilian life. That’s why I’ve helped introduce legislation that would reduce barriers facing veterans when accessing higher education. It was wonderful to see during today’s discussion that the University system serving the Granite State similarly embraces this goal, and I will carry our conversation with me back to Washington, where I will continue to prioritize efforts to support our veterans pursuing higher education and beyond.”

The Congresswoman’s visit to UNH’s Durham campus began with a discussion at Thompson Hall with members of the UNH community where the Congresswoman heard about the University’s efforts to support veterans on campus, including their Northeast Passage program, which provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of recreational activities across the region. Following the discussion at Thompson Hall, Kuster visited the UNH Agricultural Experiment Research Station at Woodman Farm for a tour and conversation with members of UNH’s Cooperative Extension about the Farm and the University’s success with federal programs such as the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program, run by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Congresswoman Kuster is committed to ensuring that every Granite State student veteran can access the higher education and job training necessary to further their careers outside of their military service. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Kuster helped to introduce H.R. 456, the Reducing Barriers for Veterans Education Act, which would allow veterans to use up to $750 of the educational benefits they have earned towards college application fees.

A member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee since taking office, Congresswoman Kuster helped lead the investigation into mismanagement scandals at the VA last year, and earlier this year she was named Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. This role allows the Congresswoman to continue to put additional pressure on the VA to improve access and quality of care, so every Granite State veteran can access the health services he or she needs.

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