Helping to eliminate financial hardships faced by military veterans seeking new career paths, the University of Central Missouri will allow out-of-state veterans to pay in-state tuition, effective for the fall 2013 semester.

The new Military Veteran In-State Tuition Policy was approved by the UCM Board of Governors when it met on campus Feb. 22.

“Many veterans leave the military hoping to begin new careers, but that usually means additional education will be needed to achieve that goal,” said UCM President Charles Ambrose. “As a military friendly institution, UCM’s commitment to those who serve this country includes seeking innovative ways to remove financial obstacles that keep veterans from attending the university. This new initiative will basically cut tuition in half for all service men and women who qualify.”

He added, “When coupled together, the new Military and Veteran In-State Tuition Policy and the previous commitment by the Board of Governors to provide military tuition assistance for active service members and veterans represent a major tool for access to UCM for those who serve our country.”

The new reduced tuition rate for out-of-state veterans applies to graduate and undergraduate tuition. Eligibility for the reduced rate applies to all honorably discharged, degree or certificate seeking military veterans from all branches of the U.S. military, and encompasses active-duty service or service in the National Guard or Reserve.

President Ambrose said the Military and Veteran In-State Tuition Policy is a public way to demonstrate that the university cares about the men and women who serve this nation. This is one of several measures the university has taken over the past two years to enhance its commitment to those in uniform. Such measures have helped earn UCM recognition as one of Military Advanced Education’s 2012 Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities and recognition as a G.I. Jobs Military Friendly School.

Contributing to these designations are initiatives that have included the establishment of the Military and Veterans Success Center to aid active duty and retiring service members with enrollment and other issues they face in obtaining a degree from UCM, and a Military Tuition Package that helps them meet educational goals by exempting them from mandatory fees that are not covered by their military benefits.

The university also established the Whiteman Advantage program to help better meet the higher education needs of men and women serving at Whiteman Air Force Base, and it recently began offering courses at Whiteman. In addition, by working in cooperation with state and federal agencies, UCM recently initiated the online resiliency training program, Family of Heroes, to help families of veterans to manage common challenges that their veterans face in adjusting to post-deployment life.

Individuals who want to know more about the new Military Veteran In-State Tuition Policy or other opportunities available at UCM for those who served in the military should contact Lynn Lowder, director of Military and Veteran Services, or Delilah Nichols, coordinator of Military and Veterans Services, at 660-543-8776 or email lowder@ucmo.edu or nichols@ucmo.edu.