(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — State Representative Lowell Russell (R-Vonore) today offered his strong support for Tennessee’s student veterans by signing onto a letter written by Tennessee House and Senate leaders urging U.S. Congressman Phil Roe (R-Tennessee) and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs to immediately address funding allocation issues related to the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Assistance Act of 2017.
The problems are a direct result of information technology and programming flaws within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and have resulted in allocation delays ranging anywhere from 6-8 weeks. The allocation issues are negatively impacting more than 9,000 Tennessee veterans, as well as the state’s colleges and universities.
In fact, many schools are utilizing zero percent interest loans and tuition deferment in efforts to ensure our student veterans receive the financial support they need to pursue their education. As a result, institutional funds at several area colleges and universities have been heavily drawn down, creating budget concerns at these academic institutions.
Russell and his Republican colleagues are hopeful for an immediate resolution to these issues so our brave heroes receive the financial assistance they have so proudly earned through their service to our state and nation.
“Our military members and their families have made extraordinary sacrifices in the name of freedom, and we must support them as they pursue their academic goals and dreams at our local colleges and universities,” said Representative Russell. “They and our academic institutions must not be unfairly burdened by a backlog at the federal level. I am honored to stand up and support our student veterans, their families, and our colleges and universities, and I look forward to continuing my advocacy on behalf of these important groups throughout the upcoming 111th Tennessee General Assembly.”
To view the letter to Chairman Roe and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, please click here.
