Posted on Sep 16, 2014
New Legislation Helps Veterans Attend College
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A recent article on Money.com, “Why Veterans Will Soon Save Thousands on College” (http://rly.pt/1sgxyF4), provides promising information for veterans and their family members as they transition from the military to civilian life, college, and beyond.
As a retired Marine and advocate for veterans achieving higher education success—I truly appreciate the congressional effort to enact new legislation to assist veterans by immediately classifying them with in-state residency standing for higher education tuition purposes. Most states historically maintained stringent standards of 12-month residency before service members become eligible for lower in-state tuition rates, which placed undue financial burdens on many veterans and their families. However, the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 changed that situation (http://rly.pt/_HR3230).
Starting in fall 2015, veterans and their family members will be able to automatically pay in-state tuition rates at any U.S. public university. That’s exciting and welcomed news. The new legislation is very promising, impactful, and worthy of continued discussion threads in order to help spread the word throughout the veteran community.
Coupled with the GI Bill, the in-state public tuition legislation will enable veterans to attend school without facing huge out-of-pocket payments through student loan repayment. There may be cases where some costs are not covered—such as enrollment in nursing or engineering programs—but additional funding may not be required for the vast majority of veteran students.
This is another welcomed benefit for veterans to help them meet their educational goals and prepare for their careers. And they have the option to go to an in-state college or complete their education at a quality online institution—giving them a wide variety of flexible options no matter where they're located.
The mobility factor of online education is growing in popularity, especially for working adults with limited time. The convenience, flexibility, and quality of instruction often present the ideal option for veterans balancing career goals, raising families, and wishing to connect online with other likeminded professionals and service members.
For a better understanding of how valuable this new legislation will be for veterans, review the CollegeBoard’s Trends in College Pricing report (http://rly.pt/CollegePricing) which breaks down the average in-state and out-of-state rates, or this helpful comparison chart posted by The Pew Charitable Trusts: http://rly.pt/Tuition_Fees
Thankfully, our elected representatives have made veterans initiatives a focal point in recent years. Let’s all do our part to help circulate this information to help our veterans find greater success in life!
*George M. Vukovich is a retired Marine Corps. Gunnery Sergeant and proud father of two college graduates. For 12 years he has willfully served American Military University (http://rly.pt/AMU_APUS) and the thousands of military and veteran students who are investing time and effort toward their degree. George is also a former President of the Virginia Advisory Council for Military Education (VA-ACME) and served the Board of the Council of College and Military Educators (CCME)*
As a retired Marine and advocate for veterans achieving higher education success—I truly appreciate the congressional effort to enact new legislation to assist veterans by immediately classifying them with in-state residency standing for higher education tuition purposes. Most states historically maintained stringent standards of 12-month residency before service members become eligible for lower in-state tuition rates, which placed undue financial burdens on many veterans and their families. However, the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 changed that situation (http://rly.pt/_HR3230).
Starting in fall 2015, veterans and their family members will be able to automatically pay in-state tuition rates at any U.S. public university. That’s exciting and welcomed news. The new legislation is very promising, impactful, and worthy of continued discussion threads in order to help spread the word throughout the veteran community.
Coupled with the GI Bill, the in-state public tuition legislation will enable veterans to attend school without facing huge out-of-pocket payments through student loan repayment. There may be cases where some costs are not covered—such as enrollment in nursing or engineering programs—but additional funding may not be required for the vast majority of veteran students.
This is another welcomed benefit for veterans to help them meet their educational goals and prepare for their careers. And they have the option to go to an in-state college or complete their education at a quality online institution—giving them a wide variety of flexible options no matter where they're located.
The mobility factor of online education is growing in popularity, especially for working adults with limited time. The convenience, flexibility, and quality of instruction often present the ideal option for veterans balancing career goals, raising families, and wishing to connect online with other likeminded professionals and service members.
For a better understanding of how valuable this new legislation will be for veterans, review the CollegeBoard’s Trends in College Pricing report (http://rly.pt/CollegePricing) which breaks down the average in-state and out-of-state rates, or this helpful comparison chart posted by The Pew Charitable Trusts: http://rly.pt/Tuition_Fees
Thankfully, our elected representatives have made veterans initiatives a focal point in recent years. Let’s all do our part to help circulate this information to help our veterans find greater success in life!
*George M. Vukovich is a retired Marine Corps. Gunnery Sergeant and proud father of two college graduates. For 12 years he has willfully served American Military University (http://rly.pt/AMU_APUS) and the thousands of military and veteran students who are investing time and effort toward their degree. George is also a former President of the Virginia Advisory Council for Military Education (VA-ACME) and served the Board of the Council of College and Military Educators (CCME)*
College
Education Studies
Command Post
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 14
Thanks for posting about this, GySgt George Vukovich -- I've seen junior enlisted personnel achieve great things through flexible online education programs, due to those individuals having limited time and unpredictable military schedules.
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I am glad to hear that someone in DC has got it right on active duty people and vets. This will help a lot of people advance their careers.
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It would not have been possible for me to finish my Masters on active duty without an online program. Many thanks to Cindy Smith for her guidance along my path of seeking a higher degree. I applaud this in-state tuition legislation and any school that brings specialized programs to active service members and veterans looking to advance their career. We all know how hard it is to balance work, family, and education while on active duty.
GySgt George Vukovich Really appreciate this piece you wrote for us. What are some of the most popular programs you see military members taking advantage of at AMU?
GySgt George Vukovich Really appreciate this piece you wrote for us. What are some of the most popular programs you see military members taking advantage of at AMU?
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Capt Brandon Charters
Great to see these course offerings GySgt George Vukovich! What is the typical duration for an online undergrad degree program like these?
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SrA (Join to see)
Capt Brandon Charters GySgt George Vukovich oh I truly wish I knew about this!!! I would have spared myself probably half the expense, especially since I've been going to school online in out of state universities over the last 5 years!
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CPO Clayton Graham
This is great news, but be careful of predatory colleges who are taking advantage of veterans and their GI Bill
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CPO William Keyes
I've seen it in action in NJ. No doubt about it Gunney, this does lighten the financial burden on Veterans. It's a win win situation. One less issue with our heroes persuing their educational goals. Institutions also benefit from potentially increasing there Active Duty and Veteran enrollment.
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