APPLETON, WIS. — Lawrence University has been designated a “Military Friendly School” for 2010 by G.I. Jobs magazine and will be included in a September guide listing those colleges and universities that were cited for their support of veterans.
According to the magazine, the honor puts Lawrence in the top 15 percent of all U.S. colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that meet the criteria for a military-friendly designation.
Earlier this year, Lawrence agreed to participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 that was passed by Congress this summer.
The Yellow Ribbon program allows degree-granting institutions in the United States to enter into an agreement with the Veterans Administration to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. Lawrence will contribute up to 50 percent of the remaining expenses — approximately $7,300 per veteran — and the VA will match the same amount. The program is designed to help qualifying students avoid up to 100 percent of their out-of-pocket tuition and fees associated with education programs that may exceed the Post 9/11 GI Bill® tuition benefit.
“The Yellow Ribbon program offers military veterans an amazing — and financially viable — opportunity to earn a college degree,” said Sara Holman, director of financial aid at Lawrence. “As a university participating in the program, Lawrence has found a way to say thank you to the veterans who have done so much for our country.”
“In evaluating colleges and universities for our military friendly designation, the Yellow Ribbon Program was weighted heavily,” said Rich McCormack, publisher of G.I. Jobs. “Lawrence’s strong financial support for the program indicated to us a deep commitment to helping our veterans.”
Chris Schmidt, an incoming freshman from Menomonee Falls, will be Lawrence’s first Yellow Ribbon Program participant when new students arrive for the start of orientation Sept. 8. After graduating from high school in 2005, Schmidt spent four years in the U.S. Army, including a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq.
There are currently an estimated eight million veterans eligible for educational assistance under the GI Bill.
