Tucson, Ariz.– Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today announced he will meet with a group of University of Arizona student veterans on Friday, April 29, at his Tucson district office. The event follows a meeting he held with the same group at the University’s Veterans Education and Transition Services (VETS) center in late March.
At last month’s event, Grijalva listened and responded to concerns about tuition, student services, GI Bill policy and other issues of interest to the student veteran community. Friday’s event continues that discussion and will include the presentation of a special student award.
“These students deserve all the support we can give them, both in the classroom and in the working world,” Grijalva said. “Cutting higher education funding now, at either the state or federal level, would be a huge mistake and hit these students hard when we’re still hearing mixed economic news. I’m proud to represent them and the University in Congress, and these conversations help make sure our student veterans get the help they need from their government.”
Grijalva thanked University of Arizona President Robert Shelton for his “determined leadership in helping the VETS program become the nationally recognized role model that it is.” The University of Arizona Student Veterans of America chapter was named Chapter of the Year last October at the group’s annual convention, and the school’s Supportive Education for the Returning Veterans classes have gained recognition as an effective model for specialized veteran education.
The VETS program has received federal funding each year since its inception with Rep. Grijalva’s support, and the school is now one of only four in the country to offer scholarships through the Pat Tillman Foundation’s Tillman Military Scholars Program.
The meeting will take place at Grijalva’s Tucson district office at 738 N. 5th Ave. from 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.