Washington Week
Each March, SVA’s policy and advocacy priorities are formally published through a series of events around Capitol Hill, the White House, and executive branch departments and agencies.
Washington Week 2021
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related health guidance, Washington Week 2021 was held virtually March 1st through 4th. The week included opportunities to hear from SVA’s Government Affairs team, join a virtual testimony watch party, and hear from policy professionals.
March 2, 2021: Policy Happy Hours
Hear a review of SVA’s Government Affairs work from 2020, a preview of the priorities for 2021, and share policy ideas or questions with the Government Affairs team in a relaxed setting. We will host these events the evening before the hearing, with east coast and west coast hours.
March 3, 2021 at 10 a.m. ET: Joint House & Senate Testimony
Join a virtual watch party to see SVA National President and CEO Jared Lyon testify before the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees on SVA’s 2021 legislative priorities. Student Veterans of America is invited annually to deliver testimony in front of a Joint House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and this provides the opportunity to highlight key issues student veterans ad military-affiliated students bring to our attention throughout the year.
March 4, 2021: Higher Education Policy Panel
As a thought-leader on the intersectionality between veterans issues and higher education, SVA is committed to student veterans leading the way for all post-traditional students. Past topics include:
- Student Daily Life & Policy
- 90-10 in 2020: Closing the Loophole
- Quality and Innovation: Emerging Trends for Good
- Data in 2020: A Look Ahead
VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship
Student veterans interested in applying for the fellowship first complete an application package that includes an essay proposal on one of four specific legislative issues listed below. The proposal includes a discussion of why the issue is important to the veteran community, and how the fellowship candidate plans to address the issue through federal policy solutions and community-based advocacy. Selected fellows are flown to Washington to ensure the veterans’ voice is delivered to Capitol Hill during Washington Week.
- Student veteran success on campus and beyond
- Improving veterans’ health care and benefits
- Transition from military to civilian life
- Challenges for service members and military families
SVA's Government Affairs Team
The mission of SVA’s Government Affairs Department is to shape policy proposals and regulations on behalf of veterans in pursuit of career advancement through higher education.