MOUNT VERNON — Brewton-Parker College announces plans to participate in the Yellow Ribbon tuition program for U.S. veterans. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition, and BPC has agreed to match 50 percent of the federal tuition and fees reimbursement for eligible veterans who attend the private Christian college.

The bill goes into effect Aug. 1. BPC’s fall semester begins Aug. 24. Veterans are encouraged to contact BPC Veterans Assistance Coordinator Karen Mock in the college’s fiscal affairs office to determine eligibility and to begin the paperwork process.

“Whether they think they are eligible or not, they need to come in and fill out the forms and let’s see where it leads us,” said Mock, referring to funds that are also available to children of veterans and other federal tuition assistance programs.

Veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate may qualify for the Yellow Ribbon program if any of the following are true:

• They served an aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, of at least 36 months.

• They were honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and they served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001.

• They are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on veteran’s service under the eligibility.

The bill covers more than tuition — also covering fees, books and supplies and offering a housing stipend. Active duty veterans serving more than 90 days, but less than three years of post 9/11 active duty service, are eligible for a percentage of those benefits.

For more information about the new GI Bill, contact Mock at (912) 583-3298 or e-mail kmock@bpc.edu.

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college in south Georgia. Affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, BPC offers bachelor and associate degree programs at its main campus in Mount Vernon and three external locations in Liberty County, Newnan and Norman Park.