The New GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Campaign – Drexel Makes Enormous Commitment to Veterans
July 13th, 2009Moving forward, post-9/11 military veterans may want to give careful consideration to pursuing their college education at Drexel University in Philadelphia. The school recently committed $2 million to support qualifying veterans as they pursue their studies at the school.
The program combines two separate elements, the use of the new GI Bill and a complementary prong called the Yellow Ribbon Program. The first element dictates very specific funding levels for veterans and is available to all veterans at all universities– the second represents additional optional contributions from universities above and beyond the funds committed by the federal government.
Drexel has taken the step to fund the entire difference between the federal reimbursement rate and the cost of a Drexel education. The key aspect is that the funds are committed without restriction and admitted veterans will be eligible for a free education.
The program is available whether the student wants to pursue their degree part-time or full or to study on-campus or online. The program is also available at all possible degree levels: undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional. The depth and breadth of options available is significant as Drexel offers several schools and colleges including the Drexel University College of Medicine, Earle Mack School of Law, Drexel at Burlington County College and the Sacramento Center for Graduate Studies.
Lastly, Drexel is placing no limit on the number of veterans who may enroll.
New GI Bill
Under the reauthorized GI Bill, the federal government has made several changes. First, the government will pay each student’s costs directly to the school. Under the prior GI Bill, veterans had to upfront costs and then request reimbursement from the feds.
The new bill also will fund costs at the highest in-state school tuition rates. Those rates of course vary state by state so the benefit amount can vary significantly depending on the veteran’s choice of school.
Finally, the new bill features additional benefits including monthly housing and textbook stipends.
Yellow Ribbon Campaign
Set to get underway August 1st, the Yellow Ribbon program sets up a partnership between a school and the federal government. Under the campaign, colleges may match the government’s contribution of the cost of an education.
At some schools that translates to more dollars but still some out-of-pocket expenses for veterans. At Drexel, it will mean 100% free tuition along with full coverage of all university fees.
To be eligible, a student must meet the school’s admission’s criteria. But every qualifying veteran able to meet that criteria will be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon irrespective of choice of program or campus.
Excellent Online Option
Qualifying veterans who do not live in the Philadelphia area will still want to give Drexel careful consideration. That is because Drexel Online is a nationally-recognized program offering innovative, Internet-based distance education programs.
Winner of the 21st Century Best Practice Award for Distance Learning from the United States Distance Learning Association, Drexel Online features degree programs in engineering, teacher education, nursing, library science and business administration.
Editor’s Note: Drexel is not the only school involved with the Yellow Ribbon campaign. For a state-by-state listing of universities and their level of support for the program, visit the Yellow Ribbon map and click on your state of interest.
