MGSC to serve veterans through Yellow Ribbon program

Strengthening its commitment to veterans who want to pursue college degrees, Middle Georgia State sought and received designation as a Yellow Ribbon School for the 2014-2015 academic year.

The designation, granted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, means Middle Georgia State can waive out-of-state tuition for veterans who are not legal residents of Georgia for the purpose of in-state tuition.

“We are honored to receive the Yellow Ribbon School designation because it allows our campuses to become even more veteran-friendly,” said Dr. Sheri Rowland, vice president for enrollment management.

“The military community is a major asset to the region and we are committed to being a first-choice provider of higher education to those who have served us in the Armed Forces.”

In order to participate in the VA educational benefits Yellow Ribbon Program, veterans must be eligible for Chapter 33, Post 9/11 educational benefits at 100 percent entitlement and not be residents of the state where the designated institution is located.

Specifically in the case of Middle Georgia State, it means the college can charge in-state tuition – considerably lower than out-of-state rates – to up to 50 non-resident veterans.

This program allows public institutions of higher learning (degree-granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to help with tuition expenses that exceed the resident tuition and fees. Middle Georgia State offers a variety of degrees on five campuses and online. More information is available at the VA’s website: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/. Information about services Middle Georgia State provides to veterans – including the possibility of credit for service – is at http://www.mga.edu/registrar/veterans.aspx. Veterans interested in determining if they qualify for the Yellow Ribbon benefit at Middle Georgia State may contact Tina Decheske at tina.decheske@mga.edu or 478-757-2681.

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