EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) - As a part of the sequester cuts that kicked in this month, defense spending was one of the major areas slated to see effects. At Michigan State, students who've enlisted in the ROTC program will no longer receive their federal tuition assistance.
Just a few weeks ago, Army ROTC students were eligible for a $4,500 yearly grant to help pay for school. Now that the sequester cuts have kicked in, they'll have to manage without it.
"It's frustrating because I know there are people in my Army reserve unit who actually do rely on that money a lot," said Amanda Dolsen, an MSU ROTC student.
"Instead of paying the money out of pocket, my parents wanted me to use the $4,500 I get for [tuition assistance]," which she said was a big draw for her to enlist in the first place.
Michigan National Guardsman Captain Aaron Jenkins agrees, but says tuition benefits usually don't trump a genuine commitment to serve.
"Tuition assistance is one of the many force multipliers that we have. The bigger thing is for nation, for God, for your family," said Captain Jenkins.
Captain Jenkins says the cuts do hurt, but he's hoping to see the effects of the sequester reversed in the near future. He also added there are other options for students, but said military scholarships are extremely competitive.
Dolsen said for the commitment armed servicemen and women make, tuition assistance is a small price to pay.
The sequester cuts kicked in March 8th, so any students who earned TA money before then, will still receive it for the year.
