Every year 115,000 veterans transition out of the military and enter an institution of higher education as student veterans. These student veterans enter academia with specific challenges to success that traditional non-veteran students do not experience. The problem addressed by this study was the underutilization and lack of transition services available for student veterans transitioning into institutions of higher education. One-quarter of higher learning institutions do not have dedicated student veteran services. More than half of the student veteran population does not think their institution understands their unique challenges. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to identify and explore the challenges and successes student veterans experienced as they transitioned into higher education. The challenges student veterans face directly affect their persistence and success in academia. The theoretical framework for this qualitative descriptive study was Schlossberg's transition theory which focuses on how adults navigate their periods of transition throughout their lives. Using virtual semi-structured interviews, the study explored the transition challenges and experiences of four student veterans in their bachelor's degree program at four-year universities. Overall, this qualitative descriptive study revealed that the unique challenges that student veterans face and their strategies for success are influenced by their military and the higher education transition. This study found that student veterans are ill-prepared for higher education. They rely on their veteran identity, family support, and available supportive services to manage their transition. Recommendations include higher learning institutions creating a better transition from the military to the institutions of higher education, staff and faculty training on the student veteran population, and providing veteran-specific spaces on campuses. Future research should measure the effectiveness of current veteran services and resources being offered at institutions of higher education. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]