Jersey City, NJ – Beginning this fall, Saint Peter’s College will participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a government benefit that allows military veterans to receive a private, higher education free of cost under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, also known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill. By committing to the Yellow Ribbon Program, Saint Peter’s will match the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs dollar for dollar, to pay veterans’ outstanding tuition and fees not covered by the standard Post-9/11 GI Bill.
“We are pleased to welcome these individuals into the Saint Peter’s College community,” noted College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. “It’s an honor to assist in covering the cost of college for the men and women who have served their country.”
Veterans are eligible to enroll in any of the College’s undergraduate or graduate programs, the School of Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS), and the newly expanded distance learning options. The students will also have the opportunity to work with an on-site veterans liaison, attend individual counseling sessions, and receive assistance for career preparation. A mentoring program with Saint Peter’s Board of Regents members is also in the planning stages for the veterans.
This new educational benefit program was designed for individuals who served on active duty for at least 90 days beginning on or after September 11, 2001. Saint Peter’s is one of six other private institutions of higher education in New Jersey to offer the Yellow Ribbon Program. Currently, the College has 12 veterans enrolled in its academic programs – nine undergraduate students, and three graduate students.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers veterans’ education costs up to the highest undergraduate, resident rates charged by a public institution in a state. This includes tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, as well as books and supplies. Generally, veterans may receive up to 36 months of assistance. For more information regarding this program, visit the U.S. Department of Affairs Web site.
Saint Peter’s College, founded in 1872, is a Jesuit, Catholic college in the liberal arts tradition located in the heart of Jersey City, N.J., with a branch campus in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and course offerings on the Jersey City Waterfront and at various corporate sites throughout New Jersey. Educating over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 50 programs, Saint Peter’s College is committed to academic excellence and individual attention, preparing students for a lifetime of learning, leadership and service in a diverse and global society.