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Iowa’s National Guardsmen Deserve Better

January 1, 2012 By Shane Vander Hart



When I joined the Iowa Army National Guard back in 1989 with the G.I. Bill, signing bonus, and the tuition reimbursement it was possible to have most of one’s tuition covered at a public university.  Education assistance was one of the top reasons I decided to join.  I enrolled at Drake University in 1990, and it made a significant dent then.

That was 1990.  College tuition, even at Iowa’s public universities, increases every year, but the rate of tuition reimbursement for Iowa’s National Guardsmen has not.  Actually, it is getting cut.  The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that a memo sent by Major General Timothy Orr, the state’s Adjutant General, said the Iowa National Guard will reduce the maximum award from 90% to 50% – from a maximum payment of almost $2900 per semester to $1600.

Considering how often our Guardsmen have been called on to serve overseas, in harm’s way, and in times of natural disasters at home it is appalling that these funds are being cut now.  Especially in light of the tuition hikes.  This is also a broken promise to those who enlisted with the knowledge they would have significant help with college tuition.

There are plenty of places to cut within the state budget, this is not one of them.  Governor Branstad and the Iowa Legislature need to do right by these soldiers and airmen and make sure this program stays fully funded, they deserve nothing less.

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Shane Vander Hart

Editor & Founder at Caffeinated Thoughts
Shane Vander Hart is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caffeinated Thoughts.  He is also the President of 4:15 Communications, LLC, a social media & communications consulting/management firm.  Prior to this Shane spent 20 years in youth ministry serving in church, parachurch, and school settings.  He has also served as an interim pastor and is a sought after speaker and pulpit fill-in.  Shane has been married to his wife Cheryl since 1993 and they have three kids.  Shane and his family reside near Des Moines, IA.

Latest posts by Shane Vander Hart (see all)

  • Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board Sides With Pate, Rebuts AP Story - April 18, 2018
  • Update: Reynolds Signs Bill Changing Iowa’s Statewide Assessment Developer - April 18, 2018
  • Family Research Council Hosts Discussion About Online Censorship of Conservatives - April 17, 2018

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Filed Under: Iowa News & Politics Tagged With: College Tuition Reimbursement, Iowa Board of Regents, Iowa Legislature, Iowa National Guard, Terry Branstad, The Cedar Rapids Gazette, Timothy Orr

About Shane Vander Hart

Shane Vander Hart is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caffeinated Thoughts.  He is also the President of 4:15 Communications, LLC, a social media & communications consulting/management firm.  Prior to this Shane spent 20 years in youth ministry serving in church, parachurch, and school settings.  He has also served as an interim pastor and is a sought after speaker and pulpit fill-in.  Shane has been married to his wife Cheryl since 1993 and they have three kids.  Shane and his family reside near Des Moines, IA.

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