Helping veterans

Those who have served honorably in the U.S. military deserve any educational benefits their country can provide.

Thus, Clarkson and St. Lawrence universities are to be commended for their plans to offer financial breaks for qualified military veterans through the federal Yellow Ribbon Program.

The Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act allows soldiers in New York to receive as much as $970 per credit hour and $3,457 in fees. Colleges can make up all or part of the remaining costs through the Yellow Ribbon Program under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

That is where the two north country institutions come in. Clarkson will pay full tuition and fees in more than 50 areas of study in undergraduate and graduate programs.

St. Lawrence will assist up to 10 undergraduate students through the program with $6,292 toward their tuition.

Through the years, countless U.S. military veterans have pursued their education with help from the GI Bill. That was and remains a great idea, benefiting deserving Americans and, in turn, America itself.

In that spirit, the two north country colleges are planning their new offerings for military personnel. That will be good for the veterans eligible to participate, and their attendance will enrich the campuses.