Published Monday, June 22, 2009

New GI Bill sends vets to colleges locally

By Winston Skinner

The Times-Herald

The GI Bill transformed America -- sending millions of veterans to college or other post-secondary training.

Scholars have speculated on the impact of the program. The funding for higher education and other purposes helped boost the nation's economy from 1945 forward, and the increase in the number of educated Americans paid dividends both financial and intangible.

A new generation of veterans is now looking at post-military options, and college is one many are eyeing.

For Coweta County's part, both the University of West Georgia and Brewton-Parker College are welcoming returning soldiers.

Currently, there are eight students enrolled in at least one class at UWG's Newnan Center, according to Cathy Wright, who directs the satellite program housed in facilities in Shenandoah Industrial Park. Many other Cowetans commute to classes at the main UWG campus in Carrollton because courses they need are only available there.

There are approximately 100 veterans taking classes offered by West Georgia this summer. In the fall and spring semesters, there usually are more than 170 veterans taking classes at the university.

Janie Lore, who directs the Newnan satellite program of Brewton-Parker, said there are two or three veterans currently enrolled in classes locally. "We have one who just graduated and moved away," she said.

For a particular veteran, the benefit available has to be calculated by the financial aid office at the school. Wright noted there are at least six different programs through which veterans and, in some cases, dependents can receive assistance with school costs.

Brewton-Parker, a private college affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, has its main campus at Mount Vernon in south Georgia. The private school currently offers classes locally at Central Educational Center in Newnan.

"Whether they think they are eligible or not, they need to come in and fill out the forms and let's see where it leads us," said Karen Mock, veterans assistance coordinator at Brewton-Parker's main campus. Mock said some funds are available to children of veterans, and there are other federal tuition assistance programs that may apply.

Brewton-Parker plans to participate in the Yellow Ribbon tuition program for Veterans. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition, and BPC has agreed to match 50 percent of the federal tuition and fees reimbursement for eligible veterans who attend the school.

The Yellow Ribbon provisions go into effect Aug. 1, and BPC's fall semester begins Aug. 24. Veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate may qualify for the Yellow Ribbon program if:

* They served an aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001 of at least 36 months.

* They were honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and they served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001.

* They are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on veteran's service under the eligibility.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers more than tuition -- also providing funds for fees, books and supplies and offering a housing stipend. Active duty veterans serving more than 90 days, but less than three years of post 9/11 active duty service, are eligible for a percentage of those benefits.

"We want to support our troops," Lore said. "It's such a great thing."

Brewton-Parker recently announced a new combined tuition and fee rate of $217 per semester hour, compared to $420 before this year's reduction. "If they come in the fall, they can lock in that rate until they graduate, so if they're incoming freshmen, they can keep this same tuition for four years," Lore said.

Since the amount of assistance provided to veterans varies depending on several factors, the amount left for a veteran to pay at Brewton-Parker also varies.

The Yellow Ribbon program -- and Brewton-Parker's 50 percent match -- will help for those who want to attend a private college. "It just makes sense that the reduced tuition would make it easier for them," Lore said.

West Georgia's credit hour cost is $134.

The GI Bill was created to offer assistance to returning World War II veterans. New versions of the bill have been passed for Korea, Vietnam and now Iraq-Afghanistan veterans.

Approximately 7.8 million World War II veterans used benefits to go to college or participate in a training program. There were 1.2 million Korean War veterans who used the benefits for education and 6.8 million from the Vietnam War.