Governor Tom Wolf visited Fort Indiantown Gap yesterday to announce a proposed bill that would introduce paid education for military families.
The Pennsylvania National Guard Military Family Education Program, informally called the PA GI Bill, would enable guardsmen and guardswomen to earn educational benefits for their spouse and/or child by committing to a second obligation of six years.
According to Senate leaders, the benefit would pay for the equivalent of five years at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education tuition rate.
“With the PA GI Bill, Pennsylvania can lead the way on a program I think we can all agree provides fitting support for our servicemembers and their families who endure great hardships through multiple overseas deployments, training exercises, and domestic emergencies in and outside of the commonwealth,” said Gov. Wolf in a statement.
The program expands on the existing Education Assistance Program that pays for the individual’s own education.
The benefit is expected to boost re-enlistment and retention. If the bill is passed, grants could be available as soon as the fall semester of 2020.