Veterans Administration renews NSU's membership

(Tahlequah, Okla.) The Veterans Administration has renewed Northeastern State University as a participant in the Yellow Ribbon program for its second consecutive year.

The Yellow Ribbon program allows veterans from across the U.S. to enroll at NSU at a payment rate less than that offered to traditional out-of-state students. During the 2011-12 academic year, NSU will provide Yellow Ribbon program status for 100 undergraduate and 50 graduate students.

The program will assist students from states not involved in reciprocity programs with Oklahoma to attend NSU without paying the higher out-of-state tuition cost. Reciprocity agreements between Oklahoma and some surrounding states allow veterans to attend NSU at the same cost as if they attended a university in their home states.

Mark Kinders, vice president for university relations, said the Yellow Ribbon program makes attending NSU more affordable for veterans through the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Chapter 33 educational benefits, which can apply to up to four years of enrollment, as many as 15 years after discharge. He added that the administration is pleased that NSU is participating in the program again next year.

"NSU is a recognized veteran-friendly campus," Kinders said. "As veterans from other states learn about the strength of our academic programs and our campus culture, we hope they will choose to attend NSU."

A supplementary goal of NSU and all colleges that recruit veterans is to attract talent.

"Veterans, through their maturity and experiences, will contribute substantially to the learning environment," Kinders said. "With their commitment to public service, we hope they will attend NSU and choose to remain in Oklahoma, to the betterment of our state."

This is the Yellow Ribbon programs third year. Participation is applied for and granted on an annual basis. For more information, visit the Veteran Affair's website.