John Carroll University is proud to announce two new scholarships for United States military veterans – one for undergraduates and the other for graduate students.

The newly created John Carroll U.S. Patriot Award for undergraduates and the John Carroll Graduate Patriot Award will make a John Carroll education affordable for all qualified veterans who have served for a specific time period since Sept. 11, 2001. Through a combination of these awards, the new G.I. Bill, and the Yellow Ribbon Program, any U.S. veteran may be able to attend John Carroll University virtually tuition-free.

John Carroll University, in Cleveland’s suburbs, is a Jesuit Catholic university with nearly 4,000 students. For the 20th consecutive year, John Carroll ranks among the top 10 universities in the Midwest that grant master’s degrees, according to the 2009 edition of “America’s Best Colleges,” U.S. News & World Report. Degree programs are offered in more than 30 major fields of the arts, social sciences, education, natural sciences and business at the undergraduate level, and in more than 20 selected areas at the master's level.

The new G.I. Bill that was signed into law on June 30, 2008, replaces the Montgomery G.I. Bill and helps veterans earn a college degree. The new G.I. Bill provides each veteran with financial assistance up to the cost of tuition at the most expensive public university within each veteran’s state of residence. The amount for Ohio is presently $477 per credit hour and would be paid directly to the school of choice. In addition, the veteran would also receive approximately $1,000 per year for books and a basic housing allowance in the university’s zip code.

All veterans must meet John Carroll's admission requirements and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The new G.I. Bill benefits, along with the John Carroll-sponsored U.S. Patriot Award (estimated at up to $8,100 for 2009-2010), and the Veteran Affairs-sponsored Yellow Ribbon matching funds program will, together, cover John Carroll tuition costs.

The maximum benefit is earned after 36 months of active-duty service, or after 30 days of continuous service for veterans discharged due to a service-connected disability. Individuals with 90 days to 36 months of aggregate active-duty service will be eligible for a percentage of the benefit, but will not qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

“The John Carroll U.S. Patriot Award is a comprehensive package of financial support that truly demonstrates the veteran-friendly atmosphere at this renowned university,” says Special Forces Lt. Col. Eric A. Patterson, who also is a professor of Military Science at John Carroll University. “Many state schools have similar programs; John Carroll University is the first private university in the Cleveland metropolitan area to make a fully funded, private, high-cost education feasible for our deserving veterans. If you, as a veteran, want to get an outstanding education while using your G.I. Bill benefits, then John Carroll must absolutely be on your list.”

The scholarships are renewable up to six years. They will be funded by John Carroll each year a veteran is enrolled full-time.

For more information on the Patriot Award scholarships at John Carroll:
Office of Undergraduate Admission: rdinnen@jcu.edu or call 216.397-4294.
Office of Graduate Studies: vporter@jcu.edu or call 216.397.4902.
Boler School of Business (graduate business students only): ggannon@jcu.edu or call 216.397.1970.