Linda Hall '96, '02 M.Ed. knows the value of the G.I. Bill very well; she got her college degree through the bill after a four-year stint in the army. Now she's helping guide others through the process at Lynchburg College, where tuition is free for qualifying veterans.
"I served in South Korea, California, and Honduras," Linda said. "I was more than ready for college when I got out and the G.I. Bill made it happen."
Linda attended Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, then transferred to and graduated from Lynchburg College, and has never left. She's LC's student employment coordinator and is now also running point on the new Post 9/11 G.I. Bill program.
Effective August 1, the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill provides tuition assistance for the million-plus veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for those who have served their country to take their lives to the next level through higher education," Linda said.
Lynchburg College is taking the federal program to the next level by participating in the Yellow Ribbon program. The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill provides a specific amount of grant funding for undergraduate and graduate tuition costs. As a Yellow Ribbon college, LC has chosen to increase its program contribution to enable all veterans who meet College admissions requirements to attend LC tuition-free.
And to top it all off, just down the street from Lynchburg College is a brand new Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic with easy access for new LC students.
"Many schools are not participating in this program," Linda said, "but LC has stepped up to help make an important difference in the lives of these servicemen and women. I'm proud that my College is standing tall for our troops. "
Click here for more details on the veterans program at LC.