The Texas A&M University System is making it easier for soldiers and their families who are not Texas residents to obtain a college degree.
Dr. Michael McKinney, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, joined Fort Hood III Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch and members of the Mission Military Task Force at a press conference at Club Hood on Monday to announce the university system’s plan to become military friendly by the spring of 2009.
“This is a commitment on the part of all system universities to be designated as military friendly,” McKinney said. “Texas A&M has a long history of being more than just friendly.”
The designation “military friendly” is based on standards created by the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges and indicates an institution of higher learning adheres to a number of criteria - such as online learning and support groups - that make it easier for veterans and military personnel to obtain an education.
About 1,700 schools, colleges and universities in the United States currently have the SOC designation, with five of those - including Tarleton State University-Central Texas - falling within that category.
The goal is to ensure that all of the campuses within the A&M system, including the main campus in College Station, be military friendly by offering online classes, distance-learning and ways to transfer credits to achieve the designation.
“We’re trying to make it much more coordinated and much more well-known to the veteran community,” A&M System spokesman Rod Davis said.
The remaining universities within the A&M system already submitted required documents to receive the designation, so there is no reason to believe this goal won’t be reached, McKinney said.
The hope is to get the designation cemented before new GI Bill benefits start in August.
Next fall, veterans will be able to get their tuition and fees at any in-state public university covered, plus a monthly housing allowance and money for books and supplies. Currently, veterans get $1,321 per month for all expenses, often falling short of actual tuition and housing costs.
“Our soldier will be afforded even greater opportunities to attend prestigious institutions of higher learning, not just here in Texas but worldwide,” Lynch said.
There are more than 2,943 Fort Hood soldiers currently enrolled in college courses.
“Our soldiers today are the best and brightest. They continue to strive and to achieve their educational goals even while protecting our freedoms and taking care of their families,” Lynch said. “It’s really an incredible feat.”
- The contributed to this report
