Southern New Hampshire University To Scholarship All Current Active-Duty Military Students

Due to the sequester, many branches of the U.S. military have discontinued tuition assistance for active-duty servicemembers. In response to these abrupt cuts, Southern New Hampshire University will scholarship all active-duty military students currently enrolled at SNHU that are impacted by this decision for the upcoming undergraduate and graduate terms.

''We are dismayed by the recent decision by the Army, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard to cut tuition assistance benefits to active duty U.S. Armed Servicesmembers," said Dr. Paul LeBlanc, president of Southern New Hampshire University. "Brought on by congressional budget shortfalls and sequestration, these cuts hurt those who continue to sacrifice so much to support and defend our country.''

SNHU's decision to scholarship currently enrolled military servicemembers began at the university's online student advisor level, many of whom are military veterans themselves. The advisors, who work one-on-one with military students, received immediate contact from distressed students throughout the world when news of the loss of their tuition assistance broke. Servicemembers' concerns were quickly communicated internally, leading to the decision to scholarship active-duty military students for the upcoming term.

''Southern New Hampshire University deserves to be commended for not only leading in this instance but for all they've done on behalf of our men and women in uniform. Thanks to their efforts, a countless number of active-duty personnel will have access to the type of higher education they deserve,'' said Senator Jeanne Shaheen. ''While we're obviously grateful for SNHU's leadership with respect to tuition assistance, the fact remains that their actions underscore the need for Congress to implement a long term plan to address our debt and deficits. I'm hopeful we can accomplish that goal soon.''

The cuts to the tuition assistance program came after the U.S. Department of Defense was faced with $46 billion in automatic budget cuts this fiscal year. While those currently enrolled in classes may complete the term, tuition assistance will not be available going forward unless Congress reinstates this critical benefit for active-duty military.

For more information contact:
Gregg Mazzola
Southern New Hampshire University
603.629.4649
g.mazzola@snhu.edu