Heidelberg receives Empower VetEd grant

TIFFIN — Heidelberg University has received a $150,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Development (DEW) that will help eliminate barriers for military personnel and their spouses who want to pursue a career as a teacher. The university also participates in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program in partnership with the Veterans Administration to fund tuition and has been designated as a Collegiate Purple Star Campus– which recognizes colleges and universities that are supportive and inclusive of military-connected students. In all, Heidelberg will award 12 annual scholarships – two the first year and five in each of the second and third years over the life of the newly received grant. "The Empower VetEd: Supporting Military Educator Prep Program grant initiative will provide financial assistance of up to $6,200 for tuition, books, fees and meal plans for active-duty military, National Guard and Reservist members, veterans and their spouses who are looking to enroll in or complete a teacher prep program," said Carole Thomas, director of Career and Military Services at Heidelberg and the grant's co-author. In addition to the military personnel or spouse requirement, those who receive grant funding must be entering or continuing in a Pre-K—12 education program such as Heidelberg's School of Education. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP), the school offers licensure options in Primary Education (PreK-5), Middle Childhood (Grades 4-9), Adolescent to Young Adult (Grades 7-12), Intervention Specialist and Multi-Age Music (PreK-12). Those who qualify for Empower VetEd grant funds will also have access to support resources at Heidelberg, including a new student organization, the Student Military Support Alliance. Additionally, Empower VetEd participants may be eligible for academic credit for service.