State Rep. Mario Goico, R-Wichita, has hatched an admirable plan for how to thank Kansas veterans for their service in the war on terrorism: with free college tuition to public universities. “It’s a way to get them back to the state, first of all,” Goico told the Topeka Capital-Journal. “And we should give them an opportunity to study and improve themselves.” There are some tough questions to answer before passage, such as whether the cost to the state is prohibitive and whether it would overlap with federal tuition benefits available to vets. But credit Goico, a Gulf War veteran, for seeking to show gratitude to these brave neighbors with more than words.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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13 Comments
Sounds like the old GI bill after WWII that was responsible for educating thousands of veterans. A lot of unforeseen good came from those classes; maybe it will from these!
I think it’s a great idea.
In WWII the GI Bill helped many – but it also hurt many. At first, the soldiers were told they would be compensated financially for their service, and my father had four years under his belt. He, and another Kansan planned on putting their money together and starting a small mechanics garage together in Russell. That plan kept them going.
But at the end of the war – the universities had already bargained to get the money- and in exchange provide free tuition.
It helped those soldiers who had a High School diploma. I’m happy for them. But in 1945 a LARGE number, like my dad, never graduated. He had finished the 8th grade when he was needed to work to help feed his family.
And when these men came home – they were adults, night classes to get their diploma either were not offered – or were only offered in large cities. Many had families to support and couldn’t return to a regular classroom with teens.
So the dream of the mechanic’s garage was trampled. My dad did okay – he worked his ass off – but it would have been nice to offer an alternative for those many, many soldiers that were in the same position.
However, the universities prospered from the windfall. Time passes – we all forget – life goes on.
I hope this bill helps some. I would rather pay a soldier’s tuition than pay for the child of an illegal to get a tuition break when they are not even a citizen of the United States.
We have to get our priorities straight.
It is not that much of a benefit because the GI bill already covers most of this.
In Georgia, if you maintain a B average, you can go to any public college for free whether you are a veteran or not.
I think it’s an awesome idea, but I don’t think the Democrats will go for it.
But there is not enough of them in the State Legislature to kill the bill. So I hope to see it happen. :)
Fantastic plan, in my books.
From the ads for enlistment, I thought the military offered a nice chunk on money for college for signing up. Do they need more?
From my understanding, the current “GI Bill”, which is named the “Montgomery GI Bill”, differs from the WWII, Korea, Vietnam Era GI Bills in certain respects.
The first, and most important, is that it (eligibility) is not automatic. Instead, upon enlistment/during basic training, enrollment is required, which, among other things, provides for a reduction in base pay of $100 per month for the first 12 months of active duty service.
Second, as pointed out above, there is a basic contribution required of $1200, unlike the earlier versions which required the member to make no up-front contribution.
Third, to obtain the full benefit (some $38,000+ over 36 months of enrollment), a member must serve a minimum of three years (or have a basic enlistment of three years); if one enlists in the Army under its 2 year enlistment, there is a reduced amount of benefits. I do not recall this minimum service requirement in the prior versions; perhaps there was one.
There is much more to this, and I found most of the above information at the VA website (not linked here, to avoid the robot catcher).
Oh, BTW, technically the $1200 is considered a “reduction in pay” and not a “contribution” under the law establishing the benefit. Thus, for whatever reason, if a member enrolls in the program, and then decides to drop out of it, the $1200 stays with the VA or whomever; the soldier, sailor, airman, etc. doesn’t get his/her $$ back.
Fantastic plan, in my books.
Sounds like a good idea to me Joe!
ESPECIALLY – I might add, for our Guardsmen and women.
Different forms and applications of this idea are available to veterans and their families in other states,it is a great idea!
Now for the most important question for Sedgwick County & the Kansas SRS…can they somehow collect child support from this idea?
Actually Joe I would bet that more Republicans than democrats would vote no. in fact I doubt it gets out of committee