According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were over 6.5 million military veterans living in Tennessee in 2014. The state's government has been working to make life easier for both active duty and retired military servicemembers as this number grows each year.
New program comes to aid of young servicemembers
The most recent effort by the state government is a bill introduced by the House of Representatives. Referred to as House Bill 8, the legislation will make sure that high school students who train their junior and senior years in the National Guard or who go on to advanced training after their senior year will be eligible to partake in the Tennessee Promise Program.
The program will begin in the fall of 2015, along with the start of the school year. High school graduates will be able to attend a community college at no charge. Other scholarships from the federal Pell program and HOPE, the career development program, do not often cover all of their members' tuition. The state's new program works to cover the rest of their college fees to relieve students of the burden completely.
Students receive educational mentor
Many students training for service while in school require assistance keeping their grades up, as the time commitment to their other responsibilities can take a toll on their studies.
In addition to providing financial support, the new program will serve as an opportunity to learn from a mentor. Volunteers will give the students guidance on an educational and motivational level. Clarksville Online noted that students will also have to complete eight hours of community service each term they are enrolled in the program while maintaining a 2.0 GPA.