As most students face the possibility of paying more to attend
UCLA, Bruins who serve their state could see their fees drop by 75
percent.
A bill in the state assembly would make it cheaper for members
of the California National Guard or military reserve to attend the
state’s public colleges and universities.
Only two other states besides California do not currently help
these students finance their education.
“We thought it was only right to follow the lead of every
other state and reward these folks who are protecting our
state,” said Katherine Hazelton, press secretary for the
bill’s author, Carol Liu, D-Pasadena.
Currently, residents will pay $3,834 in student fees next year.
Assembly Bill 547, if approved by the legislature, would prevent
the University of California from charging guard members and
reservists more than $960.
They would only pay one-fourth of any fee increase approved by
the UC Board of Regents.
Students at the California State University or community
colleges would receive similar benefits. Statewide, the bill will
affect approximately 6,000 students.
Full-time members of the army, navy, air force or marines can
receive federal funding for their education through the GI Bill,
but national guard members and reservists do not get these
benefits.
California National Guard members wanted additional education
benefits more than any other benefit, according to a 1998 survey
conducted by the National Guard Association of California.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, members of the national guard and military
reserves have been called up more frequently to protect California
against potential terrorist attacks or to be deployed overseas.
Liu introduced the bill after the deployments were brought to
her attention, Hazelton said.
This bill would provide additional financial and academic
protection for students who are called into active duty during the
school year.
If a student is called up from the guard or reserves into active
duty during the school year, the state would reimburse them for
student fees and dorm costs if applicable.
Gov. Davis included the costs of the bill in last week’s
May Revise, assuming it will be approved.
They would also be granted an academic leave of absence,
regardless of when they are called up.
Sometimes students are called up for active duty after it is too
late for them to drop classes, said Major Stan Zezotarski, second
vice president of the National Guard Association of California.
“World events don’t wait for your classes to
end,” Zezotarski said.
This bill would help the national guard keep its members, he
added. While they have not suffered problems recruiting, they
suffer a turnover rate of 30 percent per year.
Only students who have been in the National Guard or military
reserves for at least a year would receive the benefits.
The bill must also be approved in the state legislature. It was
unanimously approved in a committee two weeks ago.
“It already has bipartisan support,” said Sheri
Tall, legislative director for Ken Maddox, R-Costa Mesa, one of the
bill’s co-authors.
“We are all pretty hopeful the bill will make its way
through the legislature and get signed by the governor,” Tall
said.