EAST LANSING, Mich. — A new financial aid program that will allow disabled veterans to earn a college degree from Michigan State University without the burden of loans is now being offered by MSU.
MSU’s Disabled Veterans Assistance Program, thought to be the only one of its kind at a public university, will cover all education-related costs, including tuition, fees, room and board, books and other incidentals beginning in fall of 2009.
“Veterans’ benefits from the federal government don’t cover the full cost of an education here,” said Rick Shipman, MSU’s director of the Office of Financial Aid. “We want to ensure that these students don’t have to worry about money to complete their undergraduate educations.”
Although it’s difficult to predict how many disabled veterans will consider enrolling at MSU, Shipman said the general consensus is that many will be looking to enhance their skills in order to enter or return to the work force. Currently, 207 MSU students receive some form of VA benefits – of those,
19 are disabled veterans.
“Given the current employment situation, jobs are hard to find anywhere,” Shipman said. “The one thing people can do that will help them return to the job hunt is to gain additional skills through higher education.”
“Veterans, in particular those who return home with disabilities, have paid a high price in service to our country,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. “We are very proud to offer this financial aid to those who have sacrificed so much. We’re hopeful that this will help veterans gain the knowledge they will need to re-enter the work force.”
To be eligible for the program, the veteran must be a Michigan resident and be able to document his or her disability status. The student will be expected to work 10 to 12 hours a week, if not burdensome based on the disability.
“However,” Shipman said, “if the student is unable to work, additional aid will be provided to cover the small work expectancy.”
The average cost of attending MSU for a year for an in-state, undergraduate, independent student is about $23,000. It’s anticipated the program will cost about $150,000, initially.
In addition to the financial assistance, disabled veterans will also take advantage of one of the nation’s most accessible campuses.
“MSU is a very friendly environment for people with physical disabilities,” Shipman said. “We have been a leader at developing and using assistive technologies and in making our campus a barrier-free environment.”
In addition, there are a number of support services available to students with disabilities, including the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. Go to the Disabled Veterans Assistance Program for more information on this program.
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