Military students around the country are curious of how they will pay for college next semester. Troy is offering three new scholarships just for undergraduate military students.
Due to mandatory cuts in federal spending, more than 250,000 troops will be denied tuition for classes this fall. The Army, Air Force and Marine Corps have all put their tuition assistance programs at a halt. However, Navy officials have yet decided to cut their tuition assistance programs.
Colleges and universities around the nation are thinking of ways to lessen the impact of the cuts.
Troy is offering three new undergraduate scholarships to assistance its military students. The scholarships will discount undergraduate per-credit hour tuition to $250 for Active Duty Reserve, and National Guard students who would otherwise be eligible for tuition assistance.
A petition was started on the White House website calling for the government to reinstate the funding has passed its goal of 100,000 signatures. It is now official to receive a response from the administration. However, a response has not yet been made.
Michael G. Fitzpatrick, U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania, has proposed a bill to Congress to save the military’s tuition assistance program by cutting foreign aid to Egypt. The bill is entitled HR 1039. Fitzpatrick called the services’ decision to shut down tuition assistance “disappointing and unacceptable.”
“This program,” Fitzpatrick stated “which provides our soldiers and Marines with educational support they have earned, must take precedence over assistance to foreign governments.”
The U.S. released $250 million in aid to Egypt on March 3. This decision to cut Egypt foreign aid may inspire other lawmakers to protect hundred others of programs that were affected by the cuts. Thus, why Congress is reluctant of passing HR 1039.
Other officials argue that other cuts need to be put in order instead.
Troy has a long-lasting relationship with America’s Armed Services.
“Military is a great part of Troy University. It is part of our culture. It’s who we are. It is important.” said Lance Tatum , Vice Chancellor of Global Campus. “Troy maintains a commitment to support its military students.”
Other universities and colleges around the country are creating similar programs. Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. is offering free tuition for active duty military personnel.
The three scholarships are for undergraduate students, but plans are being discussed to aid graduate students as well. The scholarships are for the year 2013-2014, so that the programs can be reevaluated for the students. Service members may still quality for aid under the GI Bill, which has so far not been affected.
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