Pittsburgh Review

Pennsylvania government officials recently touted the PA GI Bill, which was signed into law July 1, 2019, to help family members of Pennsylvania National Guardsmen earn a college degree or certification at minimal cost.

The bill is the first of its kind in the United States and is also known as the ‘Military Family Education Program,’ according to a July 26 press release. The program includes coverage of 10 semesters of education for family members, with tuition set by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The benefits can be used at a Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency approved institution.

“Our military families support their soldiers and airmen during many times of absence,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, in the release. “Thanks to the PA GI Bill, they are now able to plan for a higher education without wondering if they will be able to afford the tuition. Through this one-of-a-kind program, we have improved retention, strengthened our readiness and improved the quality of life for our National Guard family members.”

This bill provides educational benefits for National Guard members, as well as the ability to transfer those benefits to their spouse or children, the release stated. Spouses can use the benefits immediately or up to six years after a member completes their service.

Gov. Tom Wolf applauded the bill and spoke highly of Pennsylvania’s National Guard.

“The PA National Guard is one of the largest, hardest working national guards in the nation,” Wolf said in the release. “Whether it is foreign or domestic – peacekeeping missions or a pandemic – these dedicated service members never fail when it comes to serving our commonwealth and this nation.”

The backbone of the Pennsylvania National Guard is their families, Wolf said.

“It was imperative that Pennsylvania reward these soldiers and airmen by securing the future of their spouses and children, adding to a better quality of life for everyone,” he added.

Nearly 3,000 Pennsylvania Army and Air Guard members have enrolled in the program, as well as 3,357 family members, according to the release.

“Since my wife and I are both enlisted in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, we have education benefits available to us,” said Staff Sgt. Kiara Rivera-Coia “It was an easy decision to reenlist for another six years so that our 1-year-old son can use the Military Family Education Program in the future. This education benefit has helped give both of us peace of mind knowing our son will have options available to him when the time comes for him to attend college.”