- Hall Brings Coalition of Colleges Together to Make Enrollment Easier for Iraq, Afghanistan Vets -
- GI Bill for the 21st Century Provides Post-9/11 Veterans with Scholarships to College-
Poughkeepsie, NY – U.S. Rep. John Hall joined with Dutchess colleges today to announce an initiative to help local veterans more easily access the educational benefits of the new GI Bill. In June, Congress passed a new GI bill for the 21st century that will provide full four-year scholarships to post-9/11 veterans, but veterans still face unique challenges when attempting to enroll in college. At Hall's urging, Vassar College, Marist College, and Dutchess Community College have all crafted and improved policies to help eliminate obstacles that can prevent veterans from attending and succeeding in college after they have served.
"Veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are returning home to educational opportunities that weren't available to generations before them," said Congressman Hall, who is chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. "Just like the first GI bill launched our country as a 20th century power, the new GI bill can help America succeed in the 21st century. Our post-9/11 veterans now have the most generous education benefits in 60 years, and I want to make certain that in the Hudson Valley we're doing all we can to ensure that they can use these benefits and succeed in college."
The new G.I. bill is the greatest expansion of educational benefits for veterans since World War II. The bill provides veterans, including Reservists called to combat duty, with up to four years of paid tuition equal to the cost of a public college. It also provides a monthly housing stipend and $1,000 a year for books and other expenses. The housing stipend varies by location.
Edward Vick, Chairman of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America said, "This law, which John Hall so strongly supported, can cover the full cost of college for today’s veterans. It will provide a level of support for the higher education of our service men and women that we have not seen in this country since World War II. Its passage into law was a truly monumental event for our veterans."
However, veterans hoping to take advantage of these benefits are often confronted by a number of hurdles. Most veterans are older than average college applicants, have been out of high school for many years and may have had previous college work disrupted by numerous deployments. Additionally, veterans returning from their service may not have had access to the resources of traditional college applicants, such as SAT preparatory courses or a college counselor.
"The concept of my G.I. Bill Application Initiative is to address these impediments standing between veterans and the college education that have earned," said Hall. "Central to this goal is the development of a streamlined application process for veteran-applicants."
David Borus, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Vassar College said, "Vassar College is pleased to be able to participate in Congressman Hall's initiative to expand the educational opportunities available to our returning veterans. The College proudly enrolled male veterans following World War II as a part of the original GI Bill when Vassar was a women's college. As an institution that has been fully coeducational since 1969, Vassar is pleased to be able to do what it can today to encourage the educational success of both men and women who have served in our military and now qualify for the programs and benefits of the new GI Bill."
As part of adopting the initiative, Vassar College is implementing the following steps for veterans:
- Waive the application fee
- Recognize how a period of deployment might strengthen an application or require flexibility in evaluating an application
- Offer the service of admissions counselors to assist with the application process
- Offer assistance in dealing with issues of transfer credit
Marist College is also implementing many veterans' assistance programs, including tuition relief for veterans.
Marist College President Dennis J. Murray, whose son Michael Murray is a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps serving in Iraq, said, "The GI Bill after World War II was one of the best investments our country has ever made, and the Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 will yield the same benefits for our nation. Many military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan have interrupted their educations and careers to serve their country, and this is a fitting way to thank them for their service and help them re-enter civilian life."
Dutchess Community College, represented by Dr. Sandra Miller Holst, Dean of Student Services and Enrollment Management, also joined Congressman Hall and representatives from Vassar and Marist in supporting efforts to encourage Post-9/11 veterans to attend college on the new GI Bill.
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