Columbia College launches tuition program for military students amid government shutdown
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
As the federal government shutdown nears the two-week mark, Columbia College is stepping in to support military students by launching a tuition assistance program.
The college announced the creation of the “You Stand For Us, We Stand By You” program in a news release on Monday. The release states that the program is for active service members, reservists and National Guard members.
Military members could miss a paycheck on Wednesday if Congress doesn’t agree on some type of funding for salaries.
Columbia College’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Sandra Hamar, reports that around 33% of the school’s student population is affiliated with the military. Between 400-500 undergraduate students and up to 500 graduate students have lost assistance because of the shutdown.
“There’s some [students] that are two classes away from graduating and want to walk across that stage in December, but if they don’t have their tuition assistance, they’re not able to do that,” Hamar said.
She adds that over 100 undergraduate students dropped courses due to the shutdown.
“Service members have stood in harm’s way for us countless times. When they need us, we must answer the call,” Columbia College President David Russell said in the statement. Russell is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel.
The program will provide full tuition for affected military students through the fall semester, which ends Dec. 13. Students will get relief upon verification. New military students who enroll in Columbia College during the shutdown will also be assisted. Students who have dropped courses due to funding concerns will also be supported and can re-enroll.
Columbia College plans to cover $500,000 of students’ tuition. The school does not have a clear reserve for the funds but expects to pull from donors, alumni volunteers and scholarship funding.
Columbia College has historically been a military-friendly institution. According to the release, of the college’s alumni, around 34,000 are veterans, active-duty service members or military family members.
“We’ve served military for 50 years,” Hamar said. “If we could act right now, which we can, and we didn’t, I don’t think we would deserve to call ourselves military-friendly college.”
Students can contact the Ousley Family Veterans Service Center for assistance.
University of Missouri spokesperson Christopher Ave said that the University is currently providing support to veterans, military members and family members who attend Mizzou. The school’s Cashier’s Office has ensured that no late fees will be collected on delayed payments. The school will also provide letters to landlords or other groups to help students explain delayed payments.