Last week, President Barack Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.
While civilians may simply see this as the end of an unpopular war, for the soldiers coming home, it can mean any number of new opportunities, from transfer to Afghanistan or elsewhere, a return to civilian life or -- in a choice that may become increasingly popular as troops return from abroad &- even a return to education at a school like Boston University.
The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, which awards educational financial aid to soldiers who have served after 9/11, could benefit the more than 92,000 troops that have left Iraq since Obama took office.
The new G.I. Bill won't have the impact of the original, from which about 8 million veterans of World War II received benefits. But the year-old law has already helped almost 300,000 veterans and their families get started on a college education, Vice President Joseph Biden said in a speech last month.
One provision of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill is the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, an agreement in which the United States matches the amount of aid given by institution of higher learning.
Like many other universities, Boston University participates in the program and gives out 20 Yellow Ribbon Scholarships a year of up to $2,800 per semester.
But it isn't easy for a solider to return home and immediately enroll in school.
"I can only imagine how difficult it must be for the soldiers to return to the realities of everyday life after their experiences overseas," said Becca Rutenberg, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website has begun "My Story," a page that shares the real life stories of veterans and their experiences with the G.I. Bill in order to help others returning to the country.
One soldier, a man referred to only as Paul, explained that after enlisting in the U.S. Navy, he was seriously injured while in Bahrain, resulting in the loss of his leg.
"Becoming a Navy Seal was no longer an option," Paul said on the website. "I needed direction. I needed a purpose. The Post-9/11 GI Bill gave me both. Now I'm attending George Mason University with my tuition fully paid, plus a housing allowance and money for books."
"After giving so much, it's great to know I served a country that gives back," he added.
And students said they would welcome additional G.I. presence on campus.
"I hope soldiers, after all they have been through, want to take advantage of the GI Bill. I'm glad we are able to give them this opportunity," said Lauren Wisbeski, a freshman in CAS.
"I would be honored to be in class with a prior solider," said Molly Kiniry, a CAS freshman. "They served our country in a great way and sacrificed so much. It would bring a new perspective to a classroom that I'd welcome."
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