When the post-World War II influx of soldiers returned home, they were granted funds from… When the post-World War II influx of soldiers returned home, they were granted funds from the government that could be used for college education under the G.I. bill. While it’s been decades since World War II’s end, the government still issues the G.I. bill to veterans to bolster educational expenses.

Under the post-Sept. 11 G.I. bill, the federal government pays participating schools an amount equal to the highest in-state tuition charged by a public university in that state. It also matches the fees of the most expensive public school in the state.

But here’s a new addition to the bill: the Yellow Ribbon Program. Because the bill only matches the highest in-state tuition of a public university, this sum can’t adequately cover tuition costs of a private school. The Yellow Ribbon Program allows schools to enter into an agreement with the government to fund tuition costs that surpass the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50 percent of those expenses and the government will match the same amount as the school.

After Robert Morris University announced in February that it plans to join the Yellow Ribbon Program, at least eight other private schools in the area — including Chatham, Carlow and Seton Hill — said they also plan to take part in the program, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Pitt, of course, is not a private institution, but it can most likely still use the program to subsidize out-of-state veterans seeking undergraduate admission or those enrolling in graduate or professional programs.

Pitt, however, remains in the midst of exploring the program, according to Pitt spokesman John Fedele and hasn’t decided yet whether or not it plans to enroll in the program.

While the Yellow Ribbon Program would require Pitt to distribute more money — something the University undoubtedly wants to avoid given the tight budget and uneasy economy — Pitt shouldn’t mull much longer over whether to enroll. The University should seek to adopt the program.

Pitt already provides a plethora of scholarships. Given the duty former soldiers’ performed, this form of scholarship provides an appropriate type of thanks. It’s definitely important to remember and support our troops, but financial compensation provides a concrete, useful form of gratuity.

Given that so many other area schools plan to adopt the program, Pitt shouldn’t ostracize itself. While we shouldn’t join solely to follow the other universities, its refusal could conversely portray the University in a negative light. Again, the program’s intentions merit its acceptance. Yet, the school should be wary of being perceived unpatriotically if it denies the program.

To the veterans returning home in search of an education, they’ll quite possibly circumscribe their search to schools that offer the greatest financial benefits related to the G.I. bill. Even if Pitt won’t receive tuition profits from these students, the University shouldn’t make itself unappealing to potential students in any way. Such an action would mar the true spirit of an educational institution.

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