After their weeklong Memorial Day holiday, members of Congress will duke out the details of the enhanced federal GI bill.
Wisconsin's GI Bill already offers some of the best benefits in the nation, and because of that, University of Wisconsin System spokesman David Giroux says there are capacity concerns. He says they've already seen tremendous enrollment growth from military veterans as the result of Wisconsin's generous benefits.
"It really raises a bigger question; and that is, are our campuses prepared to accommodate all of these incoming veterans? Do we have enough seats in the classrooms to accommodate all the students we need – both veterans and non-veterans?"
Giroux emphasizes, the UW fully supports higher education benefits for military veterans, because it benefits the state as well as the veteran to have more educated residents.
"This is about growing a better state. And we need more college students. We need more of those veterans coming back from military service and translate that experience into a civilian career by way of a college education."
Aside from just offering up tuition remission for their education, Giroux says it's important to have the services and support in place to make sure the veterans are successful in their transition from military life to civilian life or college life.
NOTE: The Senate passed their version of the bill last week, now it goes to the House for final approval.