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Pocono News Section
Post 9/11 GI Bill Helping Veterans
Post 9/11 GI Bill Helping Veterans - Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 5:55PM EST
Reported by: Mike Trim
Tuesday, Sep 8, 2009 @ 05:55pm EST
DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY -- Military veterans are getting a big boost with college expenses. Private college costs were out of reach for many vets until now. The "Yellow Ribbon Program" cuts costs, allowing vets to get the education they want.
Private colleges and universities can cost tens of thousands dollars more than public schools. It's a gap some veterans couldn't bridge until now.
David Gates served four years in the Marines. New changes to veterans’ college benefits allow him to go to Misericordia University, a private school.
Gates, of Edwardsville said, "It was actually a big up for me because I thought I was going to be going to a community college, get an associates and have to pay for the bachelors at a major college, where as this I could jump right into a four year university."
Private schools like Misericordia are more costly than public schools like Penn State or community colleges. The Yellow Ribon Program pays private school tuition directly to the schools. In some cases, vets can get living expenses paid for as well.
Jessica Pugliese of Scranton is a Marine veteran. Yellow Ribbon means she won't face huge student loan debts after graduating. "It's a huge relief knowing that when I come out of it I'm going to be able to be ok. Especially with the state of the economy the way it is, not knowing if you're going to be able to find a job," said Pugliese.
Joseph Frank of Kingston is using the Yellow Ribbon program. He got out of the Navy this year. Frank says Yellow Ribbon gives active duty servicemen and women motivation to go to college. “It's opened up new opportunity for them to actually get out and still be ok, you know, once their time is up getting of the military and still be ok financially going to school."
A requirement for yellow ribbon is you have to have served after 9/11. For more on eligibility requirements, visit www. gibill. va. gov | | |
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