A&M - Central Texas, VA, and Central Texas College to Promote Benefits of Post -9/11 GI Bill with Education Expo

Texas A&M University-Central Texas
Department of Marketing & Public Relations
Alison Rex, Communications Specialist
254-519-5102
rex@tarleton.edu

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jessica Jacobsen, Dallas Office of Public Affairs
(817) 385-3720 (office)
(214) 649-8380 (cell)
Barbara Merlo, Central Texas College
(254) 526-1999 (office)
Tom Morley, Waco VA Regional Office
(254) 299-9002 (office)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 20, 2009

VA, A&M - CENTRAL TEXAS, AND CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE TO PROMOTE BENEFITS OF POST-9/11 GI BILL WITH EDUCATION EXPO


October 20, 2009, Killeen, TEXAS --- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Central Texas College, and Texas A&M University- Central Texas will host an Education Expo to showcase the new Post-9/11 GI Bill on the campus of Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Mayborn Planetarium & Space Theater, Building 152. Veterans, Central Texas College faculty, A&M – Central Texas faculty, and community officials on Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will be in attendance.

“Since September 11, 2001, our men and women in uniform have shown a courageous commitment and sacrifice to their country,” Waco VA Regional Office Director Carl Lowe said. “VA remains as committed as ever to honoring that sacrifice and helping our country usher in a new generation of GI Bill recipients.”
Lowe, along with Central Texas College Chancellor Dr. James Anderson, will outline the benefits of the historic legislation and encourage student veterans to take advantage of the educational opportunities the bill affords during the expo. The on-campus ceremony, part of VA’s on-going effort to educate student veterans and key stakeholders about Post- 9/11 GI Bill benefits, will include remarks by Lowe, Anderson as well as Dr. Garry Ross, interim president, A&M – Central Texas, and Bill Kinnison, education services officer at Fort Hood.

Central Texas College and A&M – Central Texas provides quality education to a large veteran population serving over 1,500 veterans currently benefiting from the GI Bill.

Directly following a brief ceremony at 10 a.m., VA officials and subject matter experts will be available for individual questions and concerns at various booths and tables.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill authorizes the most extensive educational assistance opportunity since the passage of the original GI Bill in 1944. The maximum benefit allows every eligible veteran, service member, Reservist, and National Guard member an opportunity to receive an in-state, undergraduate education at a public institution at no cost.
VA is committed to ensuring a transparent, efficient and streamlined process for Post-9/11 GI Bill claims. More than 900 personnel are assigned to process claims, and VA is utilizing rehired annuitants to provide additional processing support. In addition, over 100 staff at the Education Call Center (1- 888-GIBILL) assist veterans, answering questions and concerns.
For more information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill please visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/.
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