Erie County Times

Gov. Tom Wolf recently celebrated the success of the PA GI Bill, which is also known as the Military Family Education Program (MFEP) and became law on July 1, 2019.

The bill, which is the first of its kind in the nation, allows members of the Pennsylvania National Guard to earn college benefits for spouses and children, according to a release by Gov. Wolf’s office. The governor took the opportunity on Tuesday, July 26 to celebrate the success of the program, which has more than 3,300 dependents of the Pennsylvania Army and Air Guard members enrolled to receive higher education for free or at a low cost.

“The PA National Guard is one of the largest, hardest-working National Guards in the nation. Whether it is foreign or domestic – peacekeeping missions or a pandemic – these dedicated service members never fail when it comes to serving our commonwealth and this nation,” Wolf said. “The backbone of the Pennsylvania National Guard is their families. It was imperative that Pennsylvania reward these soldiers and airmen by securing the future of their spouses and children, adding to a better quality of life for everyone.”

The bill provides an education benefit for National Guard members to transfer to their spouse or children if the member reenlists for at least six more years of service. It allows National Guard members to transfer education benefits or defer them through the designation of beneficiaries up to when they complete their service. Spouses are eligible to use this immediately or up to six years after the member’s service is over.

The program includes 10 semesters of education for family members, and the benefits can be used at an institution approved by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. The tuition rate is set by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

There have been 2,879 Pennsylvania Army and Air Guard members enrolled in the program since it was signed into law, with 3,357 registering their dependents.

Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, cited improved quality of life as one of the program's main benefits.

“Our military families support their soldiers and airmen during many times of absence. Thanks to the PA GI Bill, they are now able to plan for a higher education without wondering if they will be able to afford the tuition,” he said. “Through this one-of-a-kind program, we have improved retention, strengthened our readiness and improved the quality of life for our National Guard family members.”

Staff Sgt. Kiara Rivera-Coia said that he and his wife are both enlisted in the Air National Guard, and they have been able to pass along their benefits to their son.

“It was an easy decision to reenlist for another six years so that our 1-year-old son can use the Military Family Education Program in the future,” Rivera-Coia said. “This education benefit has helped give both of us peace of mind knowing our son will have options available to him when the time comes for him to attend college.”

Sen. Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre) also spoke highly of the program, with Williams saying that the bill is the kind of legislation that made her want to serve in the Senate.

“I’ve heard from National Guard members who have taken advantage of this program over the last few years and this educational investment is helping their families achieve their dreams,” Sen. Williams said. “I’m so proud to have been the prime co-sponsor of the legislation that created the Pennsylvania GI Bill, and I cannot wait to see the legacy of amazing work that these students create come to life.  By honoring the commitment and service of our National Guard members and their families today with an investment in their education, we’re creating the next generation of amazing Pennsylvanians.”

Conklin called it a “wonderful program” and said he was proud to support it. 

“The federal GI Bill has produced generations of leaders, including three presidents,” Conklin said. “Over time I believe we will see similar benefits with our state program – which will not only help our veterans get the education they need, but also in that the investments we make today in them will produce the leaders our state needs tomorrow.”