We are sharing this new map, not to suggest that student vets leave and head to a state where they support us, but to think about how can we assist each other, here, to get our local leaders to address in-state tuition. A question arises from many student veterans around Hawaii. Should the Board of Regents at UH amend HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES/TITLE 20/UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII/CHAPTER 4/DETERMINATION OF RESIDENCY AS APPLIED TO/TUITION PAYMENTS AND ADMISSION or should we send a resolution [already typed and gaining public support] to the State Legislature to address subsidizing UH for the year loss they would acquire by amending their waiver section, before the GI Bill kicks in and pays outright the students tuition? A few highlights are seen below on UHs actions to addressing in-state tuition. In 2008, HB 2588 [in-state tuition for out of state vets] was introduced and Karen C. Lee, Ad Interim Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, testified saying “While the University appreciates the outstanding service that military veterans have provided to our country, we are opposed to this bill for both administrative and substantive reasons.” Additionally, HB 451 introduced in 2009 addressed in-state tuition waivers, but never made it to the floor for a vote, due to UHs testimonies against the bill. In March 2012, John Schupp, Creator and Director of SERV (Supportive Education for the Returning Veteran) and now at University of South Florida, compiled a study with UHM Student Veteran leaders and to UH addressing in-state tuition, stated this in his summary: If the staff and administration of UHM were to follow the trends that Ohio and Kentucky have employed regarding in-state tuition for all veterans, it could see a substantial increase in revenue over the next few years. In addition, the financial impact of the housing allowance on the communities of Hawaii would be substantial, and if UHM were to take advantage of this by encouraging these veterans to use this money towards dormitories, then UHM will see this revenue stream increase as well, with guaranteed federal dollars going towards room and board. Report has gone unnoticed. So UH has been, by record, no to in-state, but has addressed Yellow Ribbon to cover their reluctance. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the law that created the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Yellow Ribbon Program is available for Institutions of Higher Learning (degree granting institutions) in the U.S. or at a branch of such institution located outside the U.S. The program allows approved institutions of higher learning and the VA to partially or fully fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the established thresholds under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Simply put, if you are not a resident of Hawaii and if the university signs on to Yellow Ribbon, you are covered 100 percent. The UH System does use it, sort of: UHM - Does not allow for Undergrads, but has availability for 15 Graduate program slots KCC Lihue - Only offers Undergrad 13 slots UH Hilo - Only offers Undergrad 3 slots HCC Big Island - Only offers 17 slots The rest of the UH System offers Yellow Ribbon to all Undergrad. So why the inconsistencies. Either way, we are hoping that with the current change in tides, with the recent visit of SECVA Shinseki and the recent aggressive pro student veteran nature of Ad Interim UHM President Lessner, UH and HASV can collaborate to bring the entire UH System to becoming veteran helpful.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 17:28:21 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015