VIDEO: UH Extends Resident Tuition to All Qualified Veterans

By Maui Now Staff

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgkNA-1YPLA /] The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents recently approved a new policy amendment that grants all qualifying veterans resident tuition at all UH campuses.

The new policy effectively expands veteran’ access to higher education and takes effect in the 2015 spring semester.

In order to receive the benefit, veterans must be honorably discharged from the military and be using their G.I. education benefits.

“It’s the right thing to do for the veterans who have served our country,” said UH President David Lassner in a university press release.

University of Hawaiʻi student life. Courtesy image.

“But just as importantly, it’s the right thing to do for Hawaiʻi. The veterans have a wealth of knowledge and experience and a University of Hawaiʻi education will enable them to unlock their capabilities for them and their families to thrive in their communities throughout our state,” he said.

Hawaiʻi resident Kenith Scott, a Marine Corp veteran and UH Mānoa graduate student said the new policy amendment means a lot.  “We’ve been pushing hard in the Student Veterans Organization to get instate tuition for the past couple of years. And so for this to happen is just pretty amazing. I think it’ll mean more opportunities to attend school in Hawaiʻi. Many veterans come here from the mainland. They got stationed here for several years and then they want to stay here because they’re established here,” said Scott in a press release statement.

University of Hawaiʻi student life. Courtesy image.

California resident Andrew Hinesley, Army Veteran and UH Mānoa undergraduate student also commented saying, “I think it’s important for the veterans because a lot of us struggle coming out of the military. The transition from military life, structured life, the way everything works being a civilian again is a big change and especially financially. It’s a big financial hardship for a lot of us.”

***Video courtesy University of Hawaiʻi.