Eligible military veterans pursuing a degree at Duke University will receive as much as $770,000 in new annual financial support from the university, along with matching support from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through a new partnership Duke announced Wednesday with the VA.
All of Duke's schools have agreed to provide new scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which the federal government adopted in 2008. The voluntary program encourages colleges and universities to enter into agreements that provide enhanced aid for veterans and their families who meet the requirements of the new program. The VA will match the scholarship support the schools provide, up to designated limits.
To be eligible, veterans must have served at least three years on active duty in the armed forces after September 10, 2001.
"With the generous support of the VA, we will be able to significantly increase financial aid to veterans who pursue a Duke degree," said Duke President Richard Brodhead. "We welcome this opportunity to expand our support of veterans -- and not only as a way to thank them for their service to our country. The fact is that Duke benefits immeasurably from their presence. Veterans bring a perspective and set of experiences that enrich our classroom discussions and campus life."
Brodhead said he discussed the program at length while meeting in Washington, D.C. recently with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, a retired U.S. Army general and Duke alumnus.
Former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Paul Salem, a rising sophomore and member of the Student Veteran's Association at Duke, said his group looks forward to working with veterans who enroll as Duke students.
"This new program will help ensure that qualified veterans consider Duke a viable option for their undergraduate or graduate studies," Salem said. "As an organization, we are coordinating with the Student Affairs office and others on campus to create a community that will ease the veteran's transition to academic life and enhance their chances for success."
The new scholarships will become effective on Aug. 1.
For additional information about Duke's program, contact the Office of the University Registrar at (919) 684-2813 or visit http://www.registrar.duke.edu/.