Oregon National Guard and Reserve members returning from areas of active hostility may soon have an opportunity for free higher education at the Oregon University System school of their choice.
OUS announced Tuesday the creation of the Voyager Tuition Assistance program, a fee remission that will waive tuition dollars that
National Guard and Reserve members are required to pay.
Diane Saunders, director of communications for OUS, said the system expects the State Board of Higher Education to approve the program March 4.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski and OUS Acting Chancellor George Pernsteiner commented on the tuition remission in a press release.
“Education is one of the primary reasons that many of Oregon’s
soldiers enter military service,” Kulongoski said. “The Voyager Program is an example of how the Oregon University System can both recognize the service of Oregon’s National Guard members and reservists and help them access a post-secondary education so they can contribute to our communities once they return home.”
“Returning to the United States after active engagement in a conflict area can be a difficult transition at times,” Pernsteiner said. “Our hope is that this scholarship aid will provide Guard and Reserve members with the financial help they need to begin or to complete their undergraduate degree without the worry of how they or their families will pay for it.”
If approved, the program will begin at all seven of the state’s public universities for the fall term of 2005.
“UO is very pleased to participate in this process,” John Moseley, University senior vice president and provost, said in an e-mail. “We do not know if it will result in an increase in enrollment, but any increase will be small.”
According to the agenda for the State Board of Higher Education’s March 4 meeting, OUS estimated approximately 94 eligible undergraduates would attend the University and take advantage of the fee remission in 2005-06.
“We would be happy to accept all those qualified who do apply,” Moseley added.
The federal government already awards up to $4,500 in tuition support for military personnel who also attend school full time. The Voyager Program is intended to pay the difference between the federal support and cost of college tuition.
Jonathan Jacobs, an OUS employee who is familiar with the program, said the amount of the fee remission will vary from campus to campus.
“It depends where you’re a student at,” Jacobs said. “At Western Oregon, the $4,500 benefit will result in a full coverage of fees and tuition. At the University of Oregon, there’s $1,170 remaining.”
The average tuition cost for OUS institutions is $5,670, Jacobs added. The University and Western Oregon represent the highest and lowest tuition costs, respectively.
OUS calculated that 612 total undergraduates would use Voyager statewide for a total payout of approximately $316,900.
The program will be above the proposed 10 percent statewide cap on fee remissions, according to an OUS fact sheet.
Elizabeth Bickford, director
of Student Financial Aid, said she had input in the planning process for the program.
“From the conversations I’ve had, everyone seemed to be
supportive of this for the very same reasons,” Bickford said. “It’s a way to honor the Oregon National Guard and those members that serve in the Reserve. This is our way of being able to give back
to those men and women for
their sacrifice.
The only eligible individuals are those called to active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, and stationed in an area of combat. Other eligibility requirements are that the student is an Oregon resident, is admitted to the campus and is a degree-seeking undergraduate working on his or her first degree. Students must exhibit satisfactory academic progress for continued eligibility, according to the OUS fact sheet. There also will be a limit on the duration a student may receive the assistance.
“We probably won’t have applications or the process for at least a couple of months,” Bickford added. “If people are curious, they might want to give us a call around the first of April.”
“The Voyager Program is just one way that Oregon can say ‘thank you’ to the men and women and their families who have made tremendous sacrifices for our country and state,”
Pernsteiner said.
“I do think this program
is a very appropriate recognition and hope that qualified veterans
will take advantage of it,” Moseley said.

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