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Vets take advantage of G.I. Bill

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By Kailey Bender
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:00 a.m.

3 Vote 0 Votes

The number of veterans enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System has increased within the last year, according to a report presented at the UW System Board of Regents meeting last Thursday.

The number of veterans enrolled in the UW System has increased from 3,188 students in fall 2006 to 3,975 in fall 2007.

Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton said the rise in veterans enrolled in the UW System can be attributed to higher numbers of veterans, as well as the number of veterans who are learning about the Wisconsin G.I. Bill.

The Wisconsin G.I. Bill waives tuition and fees at UW System schools and Wisconsin Technical Colleges for anyone who qualifies as a veteran in Wisconsin.

"There are very few limits on the program — you can use it for undergraduate or graduate work," said Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford. "They can take classes as long as another program isn't already paying for it and they fulfill the certain qualifications, like fulfilling their contract or serving in combat."

The Wisconsin G.I. Bill, which was signed into law on May 26, 2006, is "incredibly important for a variety of reasons," Lawton said.

"When it was signed, it was a defining moment for values that Wisconsin holds," Lawton said. "If we look at the sacrifices they make, for them to be able to come back from that experience of service and retool their lives, making it an easier transition is something we owe them."

The report noted 2,429 veterans are receiving G.I. Bill benefits for the 2007-08 school year, up from 1,534 in 2006-07.

Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said Wisconsin's G.I. Bill is "the number one reason" for the increase in veteran students because "they get 100 percent of their tuition taken care of."

Previously, under the G.I. Bill, Wisconsin veterans received 50 percent tuition remission, unless they were disabled, which entitled them to a 100 percent waiver. This is the first year all Wisconsin veterans can receive a full wavier of tuition.

David Giroux, UW System spokesperson, said the Wisconsin G.I. Bill has both benefits and downfalls.

"It's good because it gives an educational springboard to the men and women who made sacrifices to serve our country," Giroux said. "But it's bad because we might not have the resources to provide them with an education."

Tuition for veterans will cost $42 million for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school year, Giroux said.

"The amount of funding that was passed in the [state] budget was $11 million — this is for the entire UW System and technical schools," Giroux said. "This leaves quite a gap in funding."

Funding for the bill will have to be revisited by the Legislature to meet the needs of future veterans, Lawton said.

"It was the Legislature that created the benefit, so the funding should be backed by the Legislature," Lawton said. "What we don’t want is to have the cost of the G.I. Bill be borne by other students in the UW System by increased tuition or decreased curricular activities."

Lawton is certain government will include adequate funding for the G.I. Bill in the next budget.

Suder hopes many veterans will continue to participate in the program and thinks the number of enrollments will continually rise as veterans return to Wisconsin.

"Giving them an education is a win-win situation; it could help Wisconsin's economy," Suder said. "It's a way to properly saying thank you — what better way to say thank you to our veterans than to give them an education?"

3 Comments | Leave a comment

Anonymous | December 12, 2007 1:29 AM | Reply

Vets take advantage of the benefits promised to them…oh wait Under funded healthcare and school? This war screws everyone.

jackie wood | August 13, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply

what are the quilifications for a vet. of wisconsin? what are the quilification for a war vet of wisconsin? what are the quilifications for the GI Bill?

jackie wood | August 13, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply

what are the quilifications for a vet. of wisconsin? what are the quilification for a war vet of wisconsin? what are the quilifications for the GI Bill?