WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Pennsylvania College of Technology’s commitment to its students in the National Guard has been saluted by a statewide organization dedicated to those who serve.
The Pennsylvania National Guard Associations has named Penn College a PNGAS Guard Friendly School. The college is among only 30 schools to receive the designation out of 488 institutions eligible for Pennsylvania Educational Assistance Program funds.
“This is a great honor. We take considerable pride in the proactive way we assist students currently serving our nation and those who have served,” said Chester M. Beaver, Penn College’s coordinator of veteran and military services. “It’s rewarding to have our efforts recognized by this designation.”
PNGAS is a nonprofit organization that supports current and past members of the National Guard and their families. The PNGAS Guard Friendly School status was developed to recognize schools that are meeting or exceeding 10 baseline criteria that create a supportive learning environment for guard members.
Penn College has 43 students in the Pennsylvania National Guard. Those students have access to the same campus services dedicated to active-duty military and veterans. Resources include individual assistance in obtaining and coordinating military educational benefits and financial aid, a single point of contact for support services, student organizations and groups dedicated to veterans, and a military resource center.
The Pennsylvania National Guard consists of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. According to the Pennsylvania National Guard, about 3,000 members serve full time, and 16,000 train part time while pursuing a civilian education or career. Such training usually requires one weekend a month and one two-week session per year.
State residents with a six-year guard contract and attending a Pennsylvania school are eligible for a tuition benefit through the Educational Assistance Program. For 2019-20, the benefit is about $32,000. If they reenlist for six years, their educational benefits are transferable to a spouse or a child thanks to the Military Family Education Program that was enacted earlier this year.
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.