Military Service and College: An Exploratory Examination of Military-Connected Latina/o Undergraduates and Access to Higher Education

Approximately 4.2% of undergraduates, or 872,000 students, reported that they had served or were currently serving in the U.S. military during the 2007–08 academic year. Of these students, 13% identified as Hispanic/Latino. Despite a history of college participation, only a handful of studies have examined the postsecondary experiences of students with military service backgrounds. Further, no studies have focused specifically on the experiences of Latina/o undergraduates who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. We address this gap in the research literature. We briefly summarize current research and data on military-connected undergraduates and then explore how current models of college student access and choice can be used to understand the experiences of military-connected Latina/o undergraduates. Quantitative survey data obtained from the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) are used to describe this understudied and underserved student population. Potential barriers to access and support for military-connected Latina/o undergraduates are also explored. We conclude with a discussion of future directions for research.