Massachusetts Private Colleges and Universities Embrace
New “Yellow Ribbon” G.I. Education Assistance ProgramBoston – The most generous veterans’ benefit for higher education since the WWII “GI Bill” goes into effect on August 1, 2009. Congress’s “Post 9/11 Veteran’s Education Assistance Act” provides for payment of tuition and fees, a housing allowance, and a stipend for books and supplies for eligible veterans who have served on active military duty for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001. Veterans with at least 36 months on active duty are eligible for the maximum benefit. In general, the maximum tuition and fees benefit available under the law is capped at the level of the in-state charges at the most expensive public institution in a state. The new law creates the “Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program,” under which the federal government will match, dollar-for-dollar, contributions that colleges and universities make to help veterans cover tuition costs above the maximum in-state public college tuition amount. Institutions that wish to participate in the program enter into an agreement (by June 15) with the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs that spells out items such as the manner in which the institutional match will be provided, the maximum amount of the institutional contribution, and the number of eligible veterans the institution can serve. Within those parameters, veterans are eligible on a first-come, first-served basis at each institution. Private colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth, from the Berkshires to Boston and points north and south are participating. “We are extremely pleased with the number and diversity of independent Massachusetts colleges and universities that have chosen to participate in the inaugural year of the Yellow Ribbon program of the new G.I. Bill,” said Richard Doherty, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM). “This is a terrific higher education opportunity for our most deserving post 9/11 veterans. The extensive participation of AICUM institutions is a testament to the service of our vets.” AICUM member institutions are prepared to serve nearly 2,500 veterans through the program. To date, there are 48 member colleges and universities participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program: American International College Amherst College Anna Maria College Assumption College Babson College Bay Path College Becker College Bentley University Berklee College of Music Boston Baptist College Boston College Boston University Brandeis University Clark University College of Our Lady of the Elms College of the Holy Cross Curry College Dean College Elms College Emerson College Emmanuel College Endicott College Fisher College Hampshire College Harvard University Lasell College Lesley University Merrimack College Mount Holyoke College Mount Ida College Newbury College Nichols College Northeastern University Olin College of Engineering Pine Manor College Regis College Simmons College Smith College Springfield College Stonehill College Suffolk University Tufts University Wentworth Institute of Technology Western New England College Wheaton College Wheelock College Williams College Worcester Polytechnic Institute Anyone interested in learning more about the new program can log on to www.gibill.va.gov. AICUM was founded in 1967 by independent college presidents and today comprises 60 degree-granting, accredited independent colleges and universities in the Commonwealth. It is the leading voice on public policy matters effecting independent colleges and universities in Massachusetts. AICUM plays a critical role in advocating for state and Federal funding for need-based student financial aid and addressing state and Federal legislative and regulatory issues. |
Boston, MA 02108
