By Melissa Nip
The start of a new program at the University of Portland this Fall opens a world of possibilities for veterans of the Iraq War. Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, degree-granting institutions in the United States are able to work in alliance with the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to fund student tuition and housing expenses. The program is a provision of the Post- 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 and became effective on August 1, 2009. Veterans eligible for this opportunity must have at least 90 days of service on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Heidi Keller, director of Student Accounts, said UP is one of the first private schools in the state to support this program. The University heard about the program and signed on last May. Denis Ransmeier, vice president for Financial Affairs, said it was "a pretty easy decision to say yes" to the program, not only because the University gladly supports the military, but because the VA assists the University with the tuition costs. This program is special because it allows students to go to private institutions as well as public ones. The Post 9/11 GI Bill pays the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition, which in the state of Oregon would be the University of Oregon. If the student wishes to attend a private institution, the university of his or her choice can waive the remainder of the expenses. The VA then can match the expenses the university waives. Twenty students this year will receive the benefits of the Yellow Ribbon Program, and both Keller and Ransmeier believe that this is a number they are comfortable with for now. Every year they will review the program, and there is a possibility that the number of participants may increase. However, for now, twenty students seem like a good start.The University is willing to work through financial issues that veterans may have upon returning from active duty. Ransmeier said that in large schools it's even more difficult to accommodate the students if they have financial problems. However, because UP is smaller, the students can receive personal attention from the University staff about their financial difficulties."A lot of students have open balances, but because we're small and personalized, I can work with the students and parents, and won't hit them with late fees," Keller said.Keller and Ransmeier are determined to accommodate the veterans in any way they can. The University's intended goal is to make the transition from military to civilian life as smooth as possible. "We want to help them assimilate back into society, and education is critical for that," Ransmeier said. Veterans who didn't have to time to finish their degree can finally go back to school and acquire the tools they need to reestablish civilian life. Billy R. Reeves II is one of the twenty using the Yellow Ribbon Program at UP this year. Reeves recently returned from active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and is excited about starting his education at UP this semester. He was working on his degree before active duty, and now he finally has the time to finish his degree. He was admitted to the University as a senior, and will be here for three semesters studying History, while taking a few writing classes. After graduation he wants to apply to law school in hopes of becoming a family attorney. In addition, he wants to perfect his writing skills so that he can write children's books. His aspirations can fully be realized due to the Yellow Ribbon Program, which has opened a world of opportunity for him, said Reeves. He is very grateful to the program and knows how lucky he is to be a part of it."It's pretty cool that I won't have any debt when I come out of school," Reeves said.Like any other student new to the campus, Reeves is excited and anxious about starting his classes, meeting new people, and living in the Christie dorm. He is relieved and grateful that he does not have to worry about financial difficulties. Now he can embrace his experience at UP and acquire the skills to turn his dreams into a reality.
