Atlanta — August 8, 2007

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) today approved a measure waiving mandatory fees for any Georgia residents who have seen combat in recent years as active members of the Georgia National Guard or the U.S. Military Reserves, effective immediately.

“This waiver could save eligible veterans $200-600 per semester in fees assessed to all students for such things as student health services, parking, technology and intercollegiate athletics,” said Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs William R. Bowes. “Waiving these fees aligns with the University System’s ongoing Customer Service Initiative and is the latest benefit we are extending in order to be of better service to our veterans. We intend the waiver to complement federal educational benefits available to reservists and National Guardsmen.”

Currently, through the Georgia HERO (Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring) Scholarship Program, administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC), members of the Georgia National Guard and the U.S. Military Reserves who have seen combat and their offspring may qualify to receive up to $8,000 each to attend college in the University System of Georgia. Veterans who qualify for HERO Scholarship are eligible for the mandatory-fee waiver, Bowes noted.

In March, 2007, the USG made it “faster, friendlier and easier” for military personnel to obtain college degrees by launching the Georgia Military Education Initiative (MEI), a coordinated System-wide approach to expanding the degree programs, courses and support services available to every branch of the military. The goal of this initiative is to address the unique challenges that make it difficult to provide college degree programs to military personnel – a population frequently on the move and out of reach of a USG campus – through traditional means. Using the inherent strengths of various USG institutions in a collaborative manner, System officials are rapidly expanding support with flexible, high-demand, quality programs.

The mandatory-fee waiver approved today is available to Georgia residents who are active members of the Georgia National Guard or the U.S. Military Reserves and have:

• served in a combat zone for at least 181 consecutive days since Sept.11, 2001; or
• received full disability as a result of injuries suffered in combat during that time; or
• were evacuated from a combat zone due to severe injuries suffered during any time while on active duty.

The waiver does not apply to fees charged for housing, food service, electives nor any special fees, user or application fees.

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