More Air and Army Guardsmen can now qualify for HERO scholarships Governor Sonny Perdue has given his OK to a new law that expands the benefits for many Georgia National Guard members and their families.

The bill, which was passed by the state legislature this spring and signed by the Governor in May, extends the eligibility for the Georgia HERO Scholarship Program.

The Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring (HERO) program, provides educational assistance to members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. military reservists who have served in combat zones as well as to their offspring. The new law changes rolls back the eligibility date of deployment from May 3, 2005 to Feb. 1, 2003.

Additionally, the law changed the eligibility to include the cumulative total of all days deployed. Previously, a Soldier or Airman had to serve 181 consecutive days to be eligible. The new provision will allow many Air National Guard members, who have served on numerous shorter rotations, to take advantage of the benefit.

The HERO program provides up to $2,000 per academic school year for each qualifying term of service of 181 day for a maximum of $8,000 -- the equivalent of four years of study. For details to: http://www.jfhq-ga.com/education

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