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 (AP)  Air Force veteran Kathryn Maykoski could use
some financial aid as she studies to become a nurse.
   

   Attorney General-elect Lori Swanson said Thursday she wants to
help.

      She proposed a $15 million-a-year tuition assistance bill for
veterans and their family members, and also urged lawmakers to
approve consumer protection measures to help active-duty soldiers
deal with cell phone companies, utilities and other creditors.

      About 7,800 Minnesota soldiers have fought in Iraq and
Afghanistan since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Proposals to recognize and help them tend to have broad support at
the Capitol, where lawmakers have approved extra time off work for
soldiers' relatives and in-state tuition rates for veterans.

      "We owe our veterans, our service members a great debt of
gratitude," said Swanson, a Democrat, at a news conference.
"They've served our country and our state admirably, and today's
legislation is designed to help repay that debt."

      Swanson also plans to set up a veterans assistance unit when she
takes office next month.

      Maykoski is paying for college out of her own pocket because she
didn't sign up for federal GI Bill tuition benefits when she joined
the military. She served four years, including a stint in Germany
supporting troops in Iraq. The St. Paul native is now applying at
Minnesota State College and Universities campuses in Winona, St.
Cloud and Mankato.

      "I think it would make a big difference to me," Maykoski said
of the tuition aid proposal.

      She has at least two years of school left, and estimates it will
cost about $10,000 a year.

      The federal government covers up to 36 months of tuition
assistance, but Swanson wants to go further and cover tuition for
up to eight semesters or 128 credits at state colleges and
universities. Her proposal is modeled on similar laws in Wisconsin
and Illinois.

      Veterans who spent at least 90 days in combat or two years on
active duty would qualify. It would also be available to spouses
and children of soldiers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

      The other proposal would let soldiers drop contracts for cell
phones, satellite television, health clubs, Internet service
providers and the like if they're called up for active duty. Those
who own their own businesses could get out of commercial contracts
such as copy services.

      A provision modeled after the state's Cold Weather Rule would
bar utilities from cutting service to active-duty soldiers who met
income requirements and paid a minimum amount.

      Federal law already gives active-duty soldiers some financial
breathing room, including lower interest rates on mortgages and
other debts, protections from eviction and court actions and the
ability to get out of car and housing leases.

      About 3,000 Minnesota National Guard members are now serving in
Iraq and Afghanistan. Another 600 members of the Minnesota Air
National Guard are set to deploy next year.


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Education News

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Martiga Lohn

Author

Attorney General-elect Lori Swanson  has proposed  a $15 million-a-year tuition assistance bill for
veterans and their family members, and also urged lawmakers to
approve consumer protection measures to help active-duty soldiers
deal with cell phone companies, utilities and other creditors.


More tuition aid, other financial help for veterans proposed

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