CLARION – The biggest educational opportunity for military veterans since World War II is now available to those who served their country and Clarion University is one of the participants.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Post-9/11 GI Bill extends education benefits to those who have performed active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001. The service member or veteran must have served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty. Individuals honorably discharged for a service-connected disability who served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001, may also establish eligibility.
“The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most comprehensive education benefit package since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944,” said Ken Gurgel, director of financial aid /veterans affairs for Clarion University. “Qualified veterans could receive up to 100 percent of tuition and fees if they decide to return to college. Unlike the current Montgomery GI Bill, those qualifying under Post-9/11 GI Bill will not have to make any contributions toward their education.”
Clarion University currently has 135 veterans enrolled. The provisions of the bill make a Clarion University education free to those who qualify.
“Each state is allowed to use the money for up to cost for the most expensive state school,” said Grugel. “Clarion is not at the top of that list, and this means the benefits will cover 100 percent of the cost to attend Clarion University.”
The maximum basic benefit provides: cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher learning in the state where the veteran decides to attend college; monthly housing allowance of $863 for a student at Clarion University; and a yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000.
The maximum basic benefit is earned after serving an aggregate of 36 months of active duty service or after 30 days of continuous service for those individuals who were discharged for a service-connected disability. Individuals serving between 90 days and 36 months of aggregate active duty service will be eligible for a percentage of the maximum benefit.
The percentage level ranges from 40 percent of the basic benefit for those whose service is between 90 days and six months to 90 percent for those who served between 30 and 36 months.
Individuals will generally receive 36 months of full-time education benefits. This should allow an individual to receive benefits for a four-year undergraduate degree based on a nine-month academic year, however, individuals may continue to receive benefits fro approved training at an institution of higher learning, including graduate training, provided they have remaining entitlement.
“Veterans education benefits have changed historically,” said Grugel. “Following the Vietnam War, veterans received tuition and a stipend after a contribution.”
The original Servicemembers’ Readjustment Acts of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights, lasted until 1956. In that time frame, 7.8 million World War II veterans had participated in an education or training program and 2.4 million veterans had home loans backed by the Veterans Administration.
For additional information on Post-9/11 GI Bill contact Clarion University Financial Aid, 104 Egbert Hall, Clarion University, Clarion, Pa., 16214, telephone (814) 393-2315 or (800) 672-7171, or visit http://www.clarion.edu/1022/; or Admissions, Clarion University, Clarion, Pa., 16214, telephone (814) 393-2306 or (800) 672-7171, or online at http://www.clarion.edu/202/.
