Benedictine program allows eligible veterans to get degrees for free

Men and women who have served in the military since Sept. 11 will be able to pursue a degree tuition-free starting this fall at Benedictine University.

The Lisle college is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Yellow Ribbon Program to offer free tuition to servicemen and -women.

Under the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008, veterans already were entitled to money toward tuition. Through the Yellow Ribbon partnership, Benedictine and the VA will share the remaining enrollment cost for qualifying veterans, who still may incur expenses for books and housing.

"I think it's just part of this school's identity and mission to reach out, and this is a way to support a - special group of community (members) in the way that we are able to," said Diane Battistella, associate dean for financial aid at Benedictine University. "This is another opportunity for the university to show our support for veterans."

For Benedictine, the Yellow Ribbon partnership expands on a tuition aid program the school initially launched in 2002.

Through its First Responder program, Benedictine offers free tuition to Illinois police officers and firefighters pursuing an associate's degree in business administration or a bachelor's in management. About 18 months ago, officials extended the financial help to Illinois veterans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. More than 400 emergency service personnel and 20 veterans have enrolled tuition-free through the First Responder program.

The Yellow Ribbon partnership opens up the tuition assistance to veterans from out-of-state as well as from Illinois and allows them to work toward any degree Benedictine offers, including graduate and doctoral degrees. Benedictine has no cap on the number of Yellow Ribbon students it will admit.

"I certainly think free tuition can make a significant difference in a veteran's life," Battistella said.

Only those who qualify for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. To see the requirements, visit gibill.va.gov. For information about the Yellow Ribbon Program at Benedictine, call the office of financial aid at (630) 829-6100.