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Troops returning from war face social and financial challenges while trying to adjust to college, despite GI benefits
Vets in school
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Photos by Joseph A. Garcia / Star staff "The GI Bill helped pay for school, but it didn't pay for everything," says veteran Tim Mauricio, attending a lecture at Ventura College, said. "I have to work just to survive."
New GI Bill
In the next few weeks, Congress is expected to vote on a bill that would expand education benefits for veterans making the transition to college.
The original GI Bill, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, provided tuition, books and cost-of-living stipends for veterans returning from World War II. Today's benefits provide up to $39,600 for college tuition and fees only, about two-thirds of the average tuition and fees at a four-year public college or university. Books and room and board are not covered.
Under the expanded GI Bill, veterans who have served at least three months of active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, would receive the following:
- Upfront tuition payments to any public or private university. Those payments would be capped at the cost of attending the most expensive in-state public university.
- Monthly stipends that help cover students' cost of living. The average monthly stipend in California would be $1,449.
- Allowances for books and supplies, $1,000 a year in California.
- Fifteen years to use their benefits, rather than the current 10. The bill also would allow reservists who serve several tours to count their total time served, rather than the length of the longest tour, to qualify for benefits.
In addition, veterans would no longer have to make a nonrefundable $1,200 contribution to their education.
Dennise Mauricio fixes the graduation robe of her husband, Tim Mauricio, before Ventura College's commencement Wednesday. He works as a security guard from midnight to 8:30 a.m.
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Joseph A. Garcia / Star staff Dennise Mauricio, left, and her husband, Tim, attend a breakfast before Ventura College's commencement began Wednesday. He's hoping to get a job as a prison guard and continue studying criminal justice at CLU.
Tim Mauricio wanted to get a college education after enlisting in the Marine Corps right out of high school and then serving in Iraq.
So he signed up for his GI benefits and quickly realized it wasn't going to be enough to cover his tuition and living costs.
That's why Mauricio, like many veterans, is working full time while also going to school full time.
"The GI Bill helped pay for school, but it didn't pay for everything," said Mauricio, who is married and lives in Camarillo. "I have to work just to survive."
In the next few weeks, Congress is expected to vote on expanding the current GI Bill to give veterans additional money for college, including tuition and books as well as stipends for living costs.
In the meantime, Mauricio has been averaging about five hours of sleep a day during the week. He works as a security guard from midnight to 8:30 a.m. Before Wednesday's graduation, he also was heading off to classes at Ventura College, where he earned an associate degree in criminal justice.
It's a grueling schedule but not unusual for veterans making the transition to college after they've served in Iraq or Afghanistan, said Jim Selbe, director of program evaluations for the American Council on Education.
Benefits often are delayed
Veterans routinely face financial and social challenges adjusting to college, Selbe said. Their benefits often are delayed, making it difficult for them to pay for tuition and books at the start of the semester.
Then, once they start classes, they may find it hard to fit in, because they're older than traditional students, they often have families of their own, and they tend to be more conservative than their classmates, Selbe said.
"They're feeling isolated because they're very different from the 18- or 19-year-olds who come directly from high school," Selbe said. "They feel there's a certain bias toward veterans in the classroom. At the same time, we're finding that veterans can enrich campuses by their experience and maturity."
Terry Niebuhr, who started at CSU Channel Islands in Camarillo this semester, understands that sense of isolation and bias.
Niebuhr, 30, enlisted in the Navy right out of high school, served in the Persian Gulf, then decided to go to college.
He enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, where he found no services available for veterans. Eventually, he dropped out, got a divorce, moved to California and tried again at Moorpark College, where he felt different from his younger classmates.
"There was this anti-war sentiment in a few classes," Niebuhr said. "I didn't want to say I was a service member. It seems like we've had more experience than kids fresh out of high school. It's harder to relate to other people."
Now that he's at CSUCI, Niebuhr is more comfortable, primarily because the college has more services for veterans, an effort he believes more colleges should make.
President Bush and the Pentagon, however, have opposed the GI Bill legislation, saying it would be too expensive. It would cost an estimated $51.8 billion over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
The current GI Bill, designed for peace-time service, provides a maximum of $39,600 for college tuition and fees, about two-thirds of the average tuition and fees over four years at a public university and far less than the average cost of attending a private school. There is no stipend for living costs or books.
Now, only about two-thirds of returning veterans use at least some of their education benefits, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Nearly a third don't use them at all.
"It's a cruel awakening when they look at the cost of education and compare it to the benefits they're entitled to," said Patrick Campbell, legislative director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and a Camarillo High School graduate. "A lot of service members just can't make it."
Meanwhile, colleges nationwide are starting to develop services specifically for returning veterans.
'In the beginning stage'
The availability of those services, however, varies widely. That's why the American Council on Education plans to hold a summit next month for university and college presidents and chancellors, Selbe said.
"We need to bring these obstacles to their attention," he said. "College administrators often are unaware of what needs to be done to serve veterans."
Locally, most colleges have someone in their admissions or registrar's offices who knows how to deal with veterans' paperwork. Some have counselors trained specifically in working with veterans, but mostly they're using existing services and personnel and hoping eventually to offer more.
"We're in the beginning stage," said Janet Rizzoli, an articulation counselor who works with transfer students at CSUCI. "We're realizing they're coming, and we need to be ready for them. We have some services, and we're working on more."
Statewide, most public universities, including CSUCI, are working with the Troops to College program, aimed at encouraging more returning veterans to enroll at a California State University, University of California or community college campus.
Troops to College is creating support teams of administrators in counseling, admissions, financial aid and student services.
The teams are starting to receive training in working with veterans, said Chairman Bucky Peterson.
The program also is working to create student veterans organizations and to help veterans get credit for the schooling or experience they received in the service.
"We hope people see the value in these great kids," said Peterson, a retired Marine and former interim vice president at Sonoma State University. "They need for us to jump in and mentor them in the direction they want to go."
Minnesota is a leader in easing veterans' transition into college, Selbe said. Its university and college system, with 53 campuses, participates in the state's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program, which helps veterans ease back into civilian life.
'They have different needs'
Counselors and administrators have been trained in working with returning veterans. Most campuses have centers where veterans can gather to share experiences. And veterans waiting to receive benefits can postpone tuition payments without getting hit with late fees.
In offering those services, college officials are careful to separate veterans' issues from political issues, said Steve Frantz, system director of student affairs.
"People join (the military) for all kinds of reasons," Frantz said. "Ours is not to judge their reason. They're coming back, and they're our citizens, but they have different needs."
And what about Mauricio, the former Marine whose cell phone plays Jimi Hendrix's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" while callers wait for him to pick up?
He's hoping to get a job as a prison guard and continue studying criminal justice at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.
Posted by jw1000 on May 18, 2008 at 6:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And which way did Elton Gallegly vote on giving more help to Veterans? NO NO NO!
Posted by gramagracie on May 18, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are Bush and the Pentagon opposing the proposed GI Bill because of all the other add ons to the bill? Is there a minimum time limit of service required? I support our Military, they are a volunteer army and am so proud of them. I have two nephews serving right now and a granddaugher planning to join after graduation.
I would like to have a plain and simple bill that addresses the needs of the military and their familes, no add ons period. They need to have their salary increased! I would vote for that. Especially since these men and women volunteer to go.
Thank you for serving our country.
Posted by twbeem on May 18, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to say that I got out of the Navy in 2002 I started going to VC in 2003. I was 24 just starting VC and I didn't have any social issues and I did NOT have a problem proudly stating that I was in the service. Yes everyone was younger than me but that was the day classes. In the evening I was one of the younger ones. The real deal for the GI bill is most branches give you the option to get "Kickers" meaning more money added to the GI Bill. Most people didn't go for that because they would have to wave their enlistment bonus. I opted for the Navy College fund which added another 50% on top of what the GI Bill was paying out. The downside to that was the payments came in at the end of the month so tuition and books came out before any GI Bill money came in. I always had to wait a month to pick up my books but that was no big deal. I remember the Marine from this story sitting in the front row of Prof. Goffs class we had a good time and we all respect his service. The only time we really got up in arms about our service time was when that nut job Cindy Shehan came to the college to spit out her crap on the war. Bottom line is dont be affraid to proudly let everyone know you served to preserve their freedom to complain.
Posted by jw1000 on May 18, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mm: Just calling to peoples attention what an idiot that have been voting for all these years. Since our news media doesn't cover it people are not aware of his voting record.
Posted by jmcgaw3046 on May 18, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If these men think that the GI from WWII had it easy going back to school after the war they go another think comming. Many were older but they adjusted well. Many lived in trailers because there was not housing available at the school where they were going for families. Many a wife went to work so as to help support the family while the husband got his degree. These men when they went to college went to work and study for their degree, they did not have time for the fun and games which now seems to be too much of college life.
So get with it and get to work and you can get a degree, now is the chance. No crying.
Posted by nesand on May 18, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I commend your service, and those of other veterans, and wish you the best in furthering your education with the completion of a 4-year degree at CLU. My son, a USMC Reservist, currently serving Active Duty in Iraq, was fortunate enough to receive his BS Degree in Business from CLU in May 2007, before his deployment. Tim, I'm not sure if you are aware of CLU's incredible policy with regards to transfer credits for military training. My son took a semester off from his second year at CLU for USMC bootcamp, and still graduated in four years. He received credit for his MOS training, as well as his MCIs, and he basically only needed classes within his major to graduate. Since CLU is a private university, they have the ability to accept this USMC training for college credit where often the public universities cannot. Not to mention, CLU has a multitude of merit scholarships to offer, and that is grant funding that does not have be paid back. I recommend you find out all you can about your SMART transcripts (Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript), and forward it all to the CLU Registrar. Find out from CLUs Financial Aid Office about merit scholarships available, and I bet you are closer to a 4 yr degree than you think! Good Luck!
Posted by lthrnek on May 18, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice to hear so many favorable comments about our servicemen and women. The Star apparently forgot to mention in yesterday's issue that it was Armed Forces Day and I saw very few flags flying in my neighborhood as a result.
Anyway. . . the big numbers being quoted on the cost of a GI Bill today is caused by the inflated costs at the universities. I used my GI Bill while in service and picked up the hours needed for my freshman and sophomore year part-time while still performing my duties. It was a tough road and took eight years but put me in a position to apply for the Marine Bootstrap Program where I was given an 18-month leave of absence to complete my last two years at an East Coast Big Ten University. Previous commentors are correct when they said that the DOD and current administration were against the bill due to all the Pork Add Ons. Democrat Jim West, the bills sponsor was equally disturbed, believe me but it was the price he had to pay I guess. Keep an eye on Junior Senator West, Democrat of Virginia folks. We hope to see big things from him in the years to come.
Posted by gramagracie on May 18, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mmshoot, you are my kinda person. I sometimes wonder why I rant on this "no spin" zone..but than maybe it is because I can..because the men and women of our military, who volunteer, give us that right.
I am all for military rights! People have to realize that even though Bush is a Republican...the majority of the House and Senate are DEMS...they hold all the aces. Everytime I hear Bush bashing it lets me know these people have no clue.
As far as the GI Bill, like I said..remove all the add ons and maybe it will pass. Even if it raises our taxes, which I believe is the reason Bush is against it, I will dig deep and pay. Any person who will voulunteer in this day and age, with society so against the war in Irag deserves to get all they can.
Okay here goes, I am going to be labled a "religious fanatic", but if you read the Bible...the Jews are the chosen people, God has continued to protect those who protect the Jewish people. We as a nation have always taken care of our Jewish brethern. Have we as a nation not been blessed? If you say no, you best read to Good Book.
Posted by surfmedic91 on May 19, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
nesand, think of this.....if your sun calls himself a USMC Reservist, what do the active duty marines call themselves.....Marine Activists??? Just something a drill sergeant told me in Basic Training.
If Mauricio was afraid to say he was a service member, then maybe it's better for him to not be in the miltary anymore. I'm sure Goff would have got it out of him in class anyway.
No one in the military should expect the GI bill to pay for all your tuition costs. It's better than getting nothing and if you get your education while you're on active duty, it can cost almost nothing.
Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on May 19, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Awe too bad, he has to work and go to school like everyone else who wants to better themselves.
Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on May 19, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Bottom line is dont be affraid to proudly let everyone know you served to preserve their freedom to complain."
Ditto, he can complain now that he is no longer serving.
Actually that is something I have never understood. Can someone please explain to me why, cleaning up other countries mess from earthquakes/tsunamis etc. is preserving my rights?
Now if ALL military personal were lining up along MY COUNTRYS borders protecting MY COUNTRY, I would then consider this preserving my freedom to live in MY COUNTRY.
Posted by surfmedic91 on May 19, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LivinInPoorMansPV, these are humanitarian missions. They aren't preserving your rights. Why should the military preserve your rights anyway? Shouldn't you make an effort on your own? And why would all the troops along the border be preserving your rights? That's just controlling immigration and import of illegal goods. I think you misinterpret what the purpose of our military is.
Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on May 19, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
surfmedic.....my point exactly!
why do they keep saying they are "preserving my rights" when they are on humanitarian missions?
Posted by meleemel on May 19, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't it great how Bush & The Pentagon are opposing the GI bill legislation saying that $51.8 billion over 10 years is too much to spend, yet they have and continue to dump billions into the war.... It's so sad to see where the governments priorities are. What a shame.
Posted by sslocal on May 20, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Give it a rest meleemel. Read some of the comments above. The Dems have attached so many riders that Bush will not sign it. Sounds to me like the Dems are just trying to make points before the election.
Posted by nesand on May 20, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Geez, surfmedic91, gimme a break! Are you kidding me? Maybe you'd better reread my post. I never said, "My son calls himself a USMC Reservist." Nope, that was my own laymen's terminology. Apparently the point of my post was somehow missed, I was just hoping T. Mauricio might be reading these and gain some insight about CLU that he may not have already known. As for my son, frankly, I have no idea what he calls himself, I have virtually no communication with him. All I know is that he's in some Iraqi city conducting "missions" that he can't even talk about. He's probably packing 70+ lbs of gear in 110+ degree heat helping the Iraqi soldiers rid the area of all the scumbags and hoodlums that are terrorizing their communities. But I won't make that mistake again, next time I'll just call him "my hero" instead.
Posted by surfmedic91 on May 21, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There you go nesand. "hero" is much better. Not only is he helping the Iraqi soldiers, but he's also making sure they're doing what they're supposed to be doing. Hopefully he has the opportunity to reenlist while he's over there to take advantage of a tax-free bonus and more GI Bill benefits.
meleemel, how many companies, private citizens, and corporations are benefiting from the conflict in the Middle East? Too many to just stop what we're doing without a huge affect on us and the Iraqis.
Posted by MRDIMENTED on May 21, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That guy needs to let his hair grow out now that he is back home. He hAD more hair in Iraq. What's he really up to?
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