Gov. Announces Education Assistance For Guard Members

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Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Education Assistance for California National Guard Members

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that California will now provide educational benefits to members of the California National Guard, thanks to a provision he made sure was included in the recently enacted budget. Before this legislation, California was the only state in the nation that did not offer an education incentive to reward and retain National Guard members.

“California’s National Guard is on the front lines of every disaster. From protecting citizens from wildfires and floods here at home to serving the people of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, the Guard can be relied on in every emergency,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “These brave men and women are heroes, and now they will have the opportunity to get the college education they deserve. I have fought for education benefits for California’s troops since I came into office, and I will continue to work to ensure they are rewarded with the opportunities they have earned.”

CNGEAP is designed to help nearly 1,000 Guard members pay to attend colleges and universities. It will begin in January 2010 with $1.8 million to cover the majority of fees associated with attending a public or qualifying private institution.

"We strongly support the Governor’s new program because the men and women who serve in the California National Guard not only serve this country in times of war but also play a vital role in protecting and serving the residents of this great state in times of natural disasters and tragedy,” said Roger Brautigan, Acting Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. “This benefit will help them achieve the American Dream much more quickly with a higher education and puts California on an equal footing with every other state in the nation.”

“This legislation is a small token of our state’s appreciation of our citizen soldiers who selflessly answer the call to defend our freedom,” said Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto), an Air National Guard veteran who carried SB 815, nearly identical legislation designed to help National Guard members with the costs of attending college or a vocational education program. “By investing in the education of our brave servicemen and women, we are investing in our overall economy.”

While the new Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and Montgomery G.I. Bill provide education benefits for National Guard members who have been deployed on a federal overseas deployment, they do not apply to Guard members who remain at home on state service. The newly enacted bill, ABX4 12, was signed at the State Capitol on July 28 and means California Guard members are eligible to apply for education assistance.

Providing an educational benefit will give an incentive for the best and most experienced Guard members to continue their service. According to the California Military Department, an overwhelming 74 percent of service members said they would extend their service in exchange for help with the costs of higher education.

“The California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program will ensure that the most qualified and experienced Guard members will be retained to continue to serve the great state of California,” said California Adjutant General Major General William H. Wade II.

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EDUCATION CALIFORNIA’S GUARD MEMBERS DESERVE
GOVERNOR FOUGHT TO IMPLEMENT LONG-SOUGHT EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN BUDGET
“Each and every member of our Armed Forces who risks their life for this nation deserves a chance to go to
college, to build a bright future and to fulfill their American dream,” (Gov. Schwarzenegger, 4/28/09)
California’s 22,000 National Guard members deserve a college education and helping them achieve a degree
has been a priority for Governor Schwarzenegger for years. Today, he is confirming the state’s commitment to
its troops by announcing the California National Guard Education Assistance Program (CNGEAP), making his
priority a promise to current and future Guard members. For too long, California has been the only state
without an educational benefit for its National Guard, but thanks to the efforts of Senator Dave Cogdill (RModesto)
and Governor Schwarzenegger, that is changing. Beginning in January 2010, California National
Guard members, through CNGEAP, will be eligible to receive higher education assistance – rewarding the men
and women who have responded to disasters, protected our borders and performed countless search and rescue
missions throughout California.
Californians Rely On Their National Guard – Now These Brave Men And Women Can Rely On
California To Help Them Get A College Degree. While the new Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and Montgomery G.I. Bill
provide education benefits for National Guard members who have been deployed on a federal overseas
deployment, they do not apply to Guard members who remain at home on state service. The newly enacted bill
means California Guard members are eligible to apply for education assistance.
CNGEAP Is Designed To Help Nearly 1,000 Guard Members Pay For College. Starting in 2010, the
program will begin with $1.8 million to cover the majority of fees associated with attending a public or
qualifying private institution.
California’s Lack Of Education Benefits Plays A Significant Role In The Guard’s 16 Percent Annual
Turnover Rate – CNGEAP Aims To Reverse That. The state hopes that providing monetary assistance for
college will give an incentive to the most experienced Guard members to continue serving.
To Qualify For An Award, A Guard Member Is Required To Be:
o A California resident and a two-year active member of the California National Guard, the State
Military Reserve or the Naval Militia.
o Accepted to, or enrolled in, a certificate, degree, or diploma program at a qualifying institution.
o Enrolled in at least three units per semester, or the equivalent.
Education Benefits Will Result In A More Effective National Guard And A More Educated Workforce. With
combined military training and a civilian education in areas such as engineering, nursing, communications
and information technology, California’s Guard members will be able to serve on two fronts.
The Governor Has Long Supported California’s Veterans And Active Military Personnel. From
supporting education benefits for servicemembers to connecting veterans across the state, the Governor is
committed to giving the men and women who protect our freedom the opportunities they deserve.
In 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger Formed The Troops To College Taskforce To Make California’s
Colleges And Universities More Military Friendly. UC, CSU, CCC and California’s military leaders are
partnering with the state to coordinate efforts in assisting veterans and active duty military and their families
in attaining higher education opportunities and goals.
In 2007 The Governor Launched The Honor A Hero, Hire A Vet Job/Resource Fair Program To Connect
Veterans With Employers. In 2007, 10 job fairs were held connecting more than 4,100 veterans with more
than 600 employers, schools and resources from throughout the state. Honor A Hero, Hire A Vet hosted 11
job fairs in 2008 and there are 10 jobs fairs scheduled for 2009.
· The administration has also initiated several efforts that will help veterans with specialized training
obtain jobs in the education field (Troops to Teachers), construction field (Helmets to Hard Hats) and
health care field (Troops to Nurses).
In 2007, The Governor Took Action To Help Veterans Obtain The American Dream Of Home Ownership.
The Governor, with the help of the California Congressional Delegation, advocated and obtained changes in
federal tax laws that allow recent veterans to qualify for the state’s CalVet Home Loan program. Prior law
limited the best home loan program to veterans who served prior to 1977.
In May 2009, the Governor unveiled the Veterans Network of Care – an innovative Web site connecting
veterans, active duty personnel and their families with the social services, medical services, education and
employment opportunities available in their local communities and throughout the state.