Portland State Magazine Winter 2011

Paul Polsin (also pictured on page 11) served in Iraq and is now earning a business degree at PSU using funds from the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. for th eir education benefits. After leavi ng the military, some veterans imply want to be done, he says. "They're crying co get away from being told what to do," says Williams, now in hi second year at PSU. THIS EXPLAINS WHY ,campusverer– ans ay, many student vets aren't signing up for the benefits they've earned. According co the Department ofVeter– ans Affair , only 5,813 Oregon veterans had rece ived GI education benefits as of 2008. 1he stare estimates there are about 341,000 veterans in Oregon. Last fall, the Oregon Univer icy yscem scarred graming our-of-stare veterans a discount on tuition beyond what is covered by GI Bill benefits. And through the federal Yellow Ribbon Program, several private schools have agreed co waive up to 50 percent of their costs while the federal government marches the resc. Noren , one of che first members of his family to go to college, urges all the veterans he knows co ask for help with their benefits. Thanks to his education at PSU and experience as a military police officer, he is sure char a career as a parole and probation officer is in his near fucure. "To be able to go ahead and graduate, that says a lot," he says. "If it wasn't for rhe GI Bill, I wouldn't be able to do ic. 17,ere's no question about ic." ■ 11 Yim is a graduate assistant in the P. U Office ofUniversity Communications. Jules Turner Scholarship The Student Veterans Association, which has an office in Smith Memorial Student Union, offers a place for students to hang out, meet fellow veterans, and get advice. The association renamed its annual scholarship last year after the late Jules Turner, a PSU student and veteran who was posthumously awarded a PSU bachelor's degree. The veterans raised enough money to offer two $1,500 scholarships, but they want to provide more. Anyone interested in helping can contact Student Veterans Association President Jesse O'Brien at jobr@ pdx.edu or www.vikingvets.org . WINTER 2011 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 13