A strike at Pennsylvania state colleges has affected thousands of veterans and there is no end in sight. The VA says GI Bill students shouldn't worry - yet.
The strike affects more than 100,000 students with more than 3,000 GI Bill recipients among them at the 14 schools within the Pennsylvania state university system. The affected schools are:
- Bloomsburg University
- California University of Pennsylvania
- Cheyney University
- Clarion University
- East Stroudsburg University
- Edinboro University
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Kutztown University
- Lockhaven University
- Mansfield University
- Millersville University
- Shippensburg University
- Slippery Rock University
- West Chester University
The strike began October 19 and an affected first-year student at Millersville University told military.com that she had been told that "depending on the length of the strike the semester may be extended or breaks shortened to make up for lost time, or the semester could be completely cancelled and tuition refunded if the strike was lengthy".
The VA says the strike is considered "a school closure due to an emergency situation" and as such GI Bill recipients would continue to be paid for up to 28 days.
This is the first shrike in the state university system's 34 year history.
