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PSC to Host Information Session on Educational Benefits for Veterans


Chicago Heights, IL–(ENEWSPF)– As the war in Iraq winds down, veterans will return home in increasing numbers. More than 3,000 service men and women are expected to return to Illinois during the next 18 months.

To help Illinois veterans discover the benefits available to them, Prairie State College (PSC) will host an informational session on the types of financial assistance available for college.

Discover Veterans Educational Benefits will be held on Thursday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the auditorium of the Business and Community Education Center, located on PSC’s main campus, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights.

Tiffany Perry, veterans education specialist, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, will discuss the eligibility criteria and terms of the Post-9/11 Montgomery GI Bill that will take effect August 1, 2009. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals who received an honorable discharge after at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. An early estimate is that Illinois veterans could qualify for $28 million in tuition benefits alone under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

In addition to the information presented by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Janetta Clemons, outreach program coordinator, Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), will discuss the Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG) and the Illinois National Guard Grant (ING). She will review the eligibility criteria and benefits available under each grant. She also will discuss ISAC’s Teacher Education Program, Illinois Future Teacher Corps Program, Minority Teacher of Illinois Program, and Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Wavier.

Financial educational opportunities are also available through the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. Brace Clement, veterans affairs representative, Office of Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, will share financial opportunities for veterans and explain entitlements available to service men and women who are in current operations overseas.

According to Mary Reaves, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, approximately 250 veterans are currently utilizing their educational benefits at Prairie State College. She anticipates this number will rise when the Post-9/11 Montgomery GI Bill takes effect on August 1, 2009.

“Prairie State College will develop a center for veterans affairs and scholarships in response to our commitment to those who have given their time and efforts for our country,” said Reaves.

For more information about the Discover Veterans Educational Benefits session, call Carissa Davis, veterans and scholarship advisor, at (708) 709-3562.


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