Despite budget cuts, officials want veterans to know a free education is still within reach.
Military veterans seeking tuition remission should first apply for federal assistance with the Post-9/11 GI bill . Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Acting Secretary Ken Black says that enables the state to take full advantage of federal funding.
“You know we want our veterans to take that. That brings federal dollars into the state, but there's going to be a delta, if you will, between the Wisconsin GI bill and the Post-9/11. And the way it stands right now the university system will pick up the differences. I would say 80% to 90% of the federal dollars will still come into the state.”
Essentially, federal benefits will help make the state benefits last a little longer. But, Black says, don't misunderstand. Wisconsin is “holding harmless” eligible veterans. He says we don't want veterans to worry about how they are going to pay for their education.
“They've done their part and served our country … we don't want them concerned about where the dollars are going to come from, in terms of their education. We just want to get them through the system – get them into the university system and provide them the education that they deserve.”
County Veterans Service Officers ( CVSO ) are available throughout the state to provide information and assistance in obtaining veterans benefits, programs and services.