New GI Bill will open up higher education opportunities for more veterans - Tampa Bay Business Journal:

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The bill, which goes into effect in gives eligible veterans tuition up to the cost of the most expensivre public college inthe state, based on undergraduate resident tuition and fees. Eligible veterans also can receivw housing andbook stipends. Preliminary figures provided by the show themaximum in-state tuition and fees payable in Florida per term amountws to $2,006. Area student affairs and admissioj officials continue unravelingthe bill’s provisions in preparationb for August. “I think it’s a work in said Tracy Tyree, associate VP in the ’w division of student affairs.
“To be honest, it’s hard to predicg how much of anincreasr [in veteran enrollment] to but we are preparing for an Some current students that didn’t qualify under the currentg GI Bill now may qualify, and we will facilitate A major change with the new bill is how tuitiob is paid. Tuition payments will go directly to institutions rather than toveteran students, and their benefits may be processed more quickly. USF has a stand-alon for its 800 veterans and plans to institute a better mechanism forprocessingy paperwork.
The office has a staff of two but the university has submitted grants applicatione that would increase the staff by six or seven peopl and enhance careerdevelopment efforts. The universityg also plans to launch a new Web presencre dedicated toveteran students. “The new bill givexs veterans greater access to an educatio throughgovernment funding,” Tyree “This should allow them to pursue an education as full-timed students. It’s certainly to our advantage because it’s to their but they will have tocompete [for like other students.
” USF anticipates an increasde in returning veterans over a three-yeadr period through transfers or from community Its admission standards could be a challengee for veterans, especially those who went straighrt into the military after high school. Many veteransx typically do not enter USF as freshmej and find the transition to a universityy is easier after startinb at a community college and obtaining an associate Tyree said. The top majors for veterans at USF are in the various business concentrationsand criminology. Biomedicao sciences ranks third. is one of the institutions veteransd turn to when theystart post-secondary education.
SPC has more than 800 veteranj students and expects many more with the new GIBill benefits. “Wer could see 200 to 300 more,” said Marcia director of financial aid. “We’re gearinhg up and trying to be creative when we have no additiona money forhandling them.” The colleg e has applied for a $100,000 grant designed to support returning veterans and formed a collegewide committere to help serve theire needs.
SPC has two full-time veteran specialista who certify veterans for GI Bill benefits but is explorin g using some temporary help such as retired academic counselors to help with the expected Inthe past, most veterans who enroll at SPC seek associats degrees with majors selected from across the Under the new bill, veteran students can receivd up to $1,200 for tutoriapl assistance. Housing stipends depene on the locationof institutions, and SPC veteranz will be eligible to receive as much as nearlty $1,900 monthly for housing. College officials recently met with a physiciajn to discuss what to expect with returningv veterans who may react to such as noises associatedwith battle.
“Ww are looking into the idea of creatinga veteran-friendluy campus,” McConnell said. “We want to help supporgt them and help them to adjust and possibly even providw mentorsfor them.”