295 Students in National Guard Denied Tuition Aid [NYS ran out of money for qualified, new guards]

The NY Times ^ | October 12, 2001 | Richard Perez-Pena

[summer]

October 12, 2001

295 Students in National Guard Denied Tuition Aid

By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

ALBANY, Oct. 11 — In the days before the Sept. 11 attacks, New York State notified hundreds of National Guard members that they would not receive the college scholarships they had expected in return for enlisting.

Some students say they believed when they enlisted that the aid was guaranteed — that, in fact, it was a promise that helped persuade them to enlist. The state's advertising for the program does not mention that people who enlist and qualify for the aid might not receive it, nor does the state's Web page describing the program.

"Nobody mentioned that this was a possibility," said Joshua M. Hotvet, a 20-year-old junior at the State University of New York at Oswego, who learned in a letter that arrived the first week of September that he would not receive state aid. "The recruiter made it clear to me and my family that if I joined, I would get my tuition paid."

Though they were denied aid, students like Mr. Hotvet remain bound by their commitments to the New York National Guard or its counterpart, the Naval Militia.

The 1996 law that created the program does not make it an entitlement — a benefit, like Medicaid or welfare, that is promised to all who qualify, regardless of the cost to the state. Instead, it is subject to the amount of money allocated by the Legislature and the governor, $3 million this year. This year, for the first time, there were more qualified applicants than the program could afford, and it simply ran out of money.

For the fall semester, 295 students were denied scholarships because there was not enough money to go around, while 1,648 received them, said Scott Sandman, a spokesman for the state's Division of Military and Naval Affairs. The agency includes New York's National Guard and Naval Militia, with 24,000 troops.

The state sent letters to students, telling them whether or not they would receive the aid, in the last days of August and the first days of September, before jets slammed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the nation found itself at war. Several New York guard units — 4,500 troops in all — were activated to aid in the response, forcing them to leave jobs, families and school behind. It is not clear whether any of the students who were denied scholarships were among those activated.

"The irony's pretty grim, isn't it?" said a guardsman who is a student at SUNY Albany, who asked that his name not be used. "I mean, we're at war, I might get activated, and now is when they say they can't pay for my college." He added that the tuition benefit was one of the main reasons he enlisted.

The students are victims of the program's success. The number of applicants has more than tripled in four years.

"We're extremely happy to be in a position where the program is that successful, but it's unfortunate that some people did not get the benefit as a result," Mr. Sandman said.

In deciding who would get the aid, he said, his agency gave first priority to people who had served in the guard before applying, and to students carrying full class loads.

Aides to Gov. George E. Pataki and legislative leaders said their offices were not aware of the situation. With the state facing a budget crisis, the prospects for more money being allocated to cover the rejected students are unclear.

Some students who sign up for the guard or the militia also serve in the military reserves, so they belong to two different units that could be activated in a crisis.

Mr. Hotvet, from Albany, joined the Marine Corps Reserves at the end of his freshman year, and went through basic training and weapons training over the last two summers. "I go in to my unit in Syracuse once a month for the weekend, and about five days in March and 15 days over the summer," he said.

Last summer, he decided to join the Naval Militia, as well, which involves a similar time commitment. "I probably would have done it without the tuition benefit," he said, "but it helped me make up my mind, and it helped my parents a lot, too."

So far, neither his reserve unit nor his militia unit has been called to duty.

The state program pays up to $3,400 a year in tuition at a public or private college, depending on what other sorts of aid, like Pell Grants, the student is receiving. That is enough to cover the full tuition at the state university system, the City University of New York, or any of the state's community colleges. Living expenses, books and other supplies are not covered.

[summer]

A summary of above article:

Some students say they believed when they enlisted that the aid was guaranteed — that, in fact, it was a promise that helped persuade them to enlist. The state's advertising for the program does not mention that people who enlist and qualify for the aid might not receive it, nor does the state's Web page describing the program....

The students are victims of the program's success. The number of applicants has more than tripled in four years....

"We're extremely happy to be in a position where the program is that successful, but it's unfortunate that some people did not get the benefit as a result," Mr. Sandman said.

The state program pays up to $3,400 a year in tuition at a public or private college, depending on what other sorts of aid, like Pell Grants, the student is receiving. That is enough to cover the full tuition at the state university system, the City University of New York, or any of the state's community colleges. Living expenses, books and other supplies are not covered.

[summer]

Is there any kind of fundraiser we can organize at FR to help these new guards in NYS who are also college students, and were denied scholarships despite the fact they are qualified -- and, they may be called to active duty?

[summer]

See post #2 above. Thanks.

[summer]

See post #2 above. Thanks.

[The Kitten]

Number one, there are easier ways to get college aid than by enlisting in the guard. You can just apply for it for heavens sakes. This guy who says it was the main reason he enlisted is lying.

That said, I feel angry that these recruits were once again deceived by false advertising. How much trouble would it have been to put 'subject to availability' on one of those recruitment posters? Since they were deceived, I think it would be fair to allow them to de-enlist if they would like.

Right now there are a lot of people waiting in line to sign up and every branch of the military is important.

[summer]

Perhaps a picture and some music, to help this effort along? Anything you select is fine. And, appreciated. Thanks. :)

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Phones of shysters are ringing off the hook in the Empire State.

[summer]

To all the FR folks who support the military, and loved the recent thread about the thank-you note from the two little tykes to our National Guardsmen:

Is there anything we can do to help these new guards in NY?

Gabz and DKNY, since you guys are in NY -- any ideas?

[ikka]

Crack whores are first in line - honorable, patriotic NG folks are last in line for benefits. What is wrong with this picture?

[summer]

Please see my post #9 on this thread. Thanks. :)

[summer]

Please see my post #9. Thanks, summer :)

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you for pinging . I wish I knew how to help them. Maybe there are some N.Y. Freepers that could help.

Thanks again summer.

[mystery-ak]

When they enlisted they had to sign a contract....Im curious to know what the contract said.
I've never heard of this happening before.
The Army prides itself with this *benefit*...there's more to this story?

[summer]

The article states the advertising for the program omitted to mention the tuition money may NOT be available, depending on how many people are qualified and sign up. In this case, many people were qualified and many signed up, so: the state ran out of money, but never told the new guards that fact could exist until AFTER the students signed up. This is not fair. The advertising could have easily included the information, and such information is HIGHLY material since the students seeing the ads are basing their decisions in part, or completely, on a benefit they perceive but which does not actually exist as a guarantee.

[summer]

BTW, the new Dem candidate for mayor, Mark Green, built his public servicce reputation on allegedly solving these kinds of consumer problems -- deceptive advertising -- but, where he is now? And, Pataki's office says they know nothing? This is an unacceptable response from both Pataki's office and Green. It seems like not much has changed since I left NY. How sad.

[summer]

servicce = service

[summer]

where he is now? = where is he now?

[mystery-ak]

If this is the case, they can get out of their contracts if they wish.
I need to talk to my hubby, he's 1sgt USArmy and has guided many young people into the Guard and Army.
My son enlisted Illinois Nat'l Guard several months ago(MP unit) he's in college studying law enforcement.
His contract GUARANTEED college tuition.
They need to contact their Congressional Reps since the Nat'l Guard is a branch of the Army....they will not look to kindly on recruiters lying to recruits.

[All-American Medic]

Thats a bunch of BS...Im making a call monday morning to my state aseemblyman and state senator and the Gov's office....If the state has money to provide WIC, food stamps and state tax dollars to lazy ass kids who dont want to work, then I think we can find some dough for NG personnel...