Veterans often don’t have the traditional undergraduate experience. Many work full-time and have families of their own. Some are continuing their educations from their teenage years, while others are on active duty or in reserve. Yet the more than 1,300 Temple students who are veterans are also among the most driven, hard-working and high-achieving students here. Their discipline, drive, work ethic and their values set a tone among their peers and markedly enrich the student body and campus life.
For its part, Temple strives every day to make itself as accessible and flexible as possible for these men and women. Temple is a dedicated Yellow Ribbon school and was honored as a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine, a designation given to the nation’s top colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide. But we can do better. While the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 and other federal programs provide tuition support for certain qualifying veterans, major gaps remain that force many veterans to cover portions of their tuition out-of-pocket.
If we can raise $5,000, five more veterans will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Temple. A gift of any amount will go directly toward financing a veteran’s education. Scholarship support for this vital segment of Temple’s student body has become an increasing priority—and they certainly deserve and have earned it.
Together we can make a major difference in the life of at least one veteran who has made such a difference to ours.