Thanks to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, many members of our military have had the doors of higher education opened to them. This has helped our Veterans climb social and economic ladders that they might not have otherwise had the opportunity to climb. However, members of the National Guard are still ineligible for the same federal aid as other branches of the military.
When National Guard members apply for Federal Student Aid, they are not granted Independent Student status. This means that the doors for many grants, programs, and other opportunities are being closed to the oldest branch of our national defense. Over the past couple of years, the National Guard has continuously been on the frontlines of battling the pandemic. It’s long past time to recognize the dedication of troops in the National Guard by treating them like every other branch.
Listen to our Legislative Director, Donald Franklin, to learn more:
