PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION BELOW TODAY!

ATTENTION VETERANS and ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS:

Proposed Changes that will Significantly Impact our Educational Benefits!!!

On January 4th 2011, President Obama signed the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2010. It introduces several damaging changes that will all go into effect THIS YEAR. Effective August 1st, tuition and fee payments will completely change.

• Private and foreign schools costs will be capped at $17,500 annually. This affects current and incoming students, as well as students planning to study abroad.

The average annual cost of private tuition nationwide is approximately $35,000, with New York rates closer to $60,000. This means that veterans will now have to cover a substantial additional expense, previously rendered by the Veterans Administration.

• The Yellow Ribbon Program may be used for costs in excess of the cap but this is NOT APPLICABLE to a large percentage of veteran students. University requirements vary so please check your institution to see whether this benefit applies to you.

• Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) benefits will be pro-rated based upon the rate of pursuit rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.

For example, if full time status at your chosen university is 12 credits per semester and you take 9 credits, your “rate of pursuit” is 75% so your BAH would be at 80%.

Note: These numbers are based upon 100% coverage, so your coverage will be lower if you already receive less than 100%.

• Interval and break pay is no longer available under ANY VA educational program unless you receive an Executive Order from the President.

These major changes will bring financial hardship to members of our Armed Forces and students nationwide, especially those studying at private and foreign schools. It has the potential to impact our entire country, not only students and veterans. Imagine how many fewer students will seek enrollment in private institutions; this shift could create negative repercussions on an economy that is already under-performing.

Please sign today and join forces with us in contacting Senators, Governors, Mayors and anyone else with the potential to help us modify this bill and avoid further financial hardship for our veterans.

Pass this information along to anyone you know and encourage them to

sign this petition!!

A NYC based group will be meeting with members of the Congressional Delegation on March 30th to push forward our agenda.

If you are committed to bringing about change to secure our educational and economic future, please email [email protected] to enlist in this important movement for our Armed Forces.

Thank you for your time and assistance with this urgent matter.