Pvt Charles J Shutt Detachment VAVS

A federal student aid bill was amended by a House committee to increase Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for veterans in states that heavily subsidize tuition at public colleges, and to expand student loan forgiveness for National Guard and reserve members when they’re mobilized.

BOSTON- The UMass Board of Trustees Committee on Administration & Finance today voted to advance a policy called the “Welcome Home Waiver Program,” to the full Board for a vote on June 12. The proposal would extend a partial fee waiver to Massachusetts veterans who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan combat areas since September 11, 2001.

Under the program, Massachusetts veterans who gain admission to degree programs at UMass would be eligible for an annual mandatory fee waiver of up to $2,000 for a maximum of eight semesters (total value $8,000). The program targets the same combat veteran population eligible for the Commonwealth’s “Welcome Home” bonus program and it supplements a tuition waiver policy for student veterans already in place at UMass.

Illinois, Ohio, and Massachusetts passed legislation to help veterans transition back into civilian life. Veterans in Massachusetts are entitled to bonuses through the state's Welcome Home Program. Massachusetts's veterans should call the State Treasurer's office at 617-367-9333, ext. 859, to request bonus application materials.

Shutt VAVS Representative Leonard O'Brien was recently appointed as the Marine Corps League VAVS National Deputy Representative.

A brief outline of the benefits that veterans from Massachsetts have obtained from the legislature.
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisvet/vetempl.htm

Covers:

• Veteran’s tenure
  
• Civil Service
  
• Public Service
  
• Retirement: Pension buy-back
  
• Open competitive exams
  
• Promotional exams
  
• Public works employment

On March 15, 2007, Major General Arthur R. Rooney, Jr., ESC Vice Commander at Hanscom AFB, visited Bedford VAMC. He visited the ambulatory care/urgent care areas, Veterans Education Center, compensated work therapy (CWT) program and the OIF/OEF point of contact.