DUBUQUE, IOWA — Loras College was recently awarded a $2,000 American Legion of Iowa Foundation grant to fund scholarships for veterans with financial need. In addition to military benefits, Loras annually provides supplemental aid to help veterans and active reserve students earn their degree.
“As a U.S. Navy veteran who completed college at Loras on the GI Bill®, and who now serves as a member of the Loras staff, I understand that our veterans have unique needs,” said Valorie Woerdehoff, director of foundation and government support and a 1982 graduate. “The generosity of the American Legion of Iowa Foundation helps students overcome some of the financial challenges many face.”
Loras College students and graduates have served their country honorably for generations, participating in ROTC or seeking degrees as an active reservist or veteran. Ranked the third most military-friendly college in the Midwest by U.S. News Media Group, Loras currently has 20 active reservists or veterans enrolled as students.
In addition to financial assistance, Loras seeks to decrease the unemployment rate among veterans through its Veteran Employment initiative. Through the project, Loras has engaged local businesses—such as the Dubuque offices of US Bank and Prudential Financial—to implement hiring preferences for returning service personnel and to actively recruit for employment on the Loras campus.
For more information about Loras College, visit www.loras.edu, call 563.588.7100 or 800.245.6727. Or like Loras College on Facebook or follow @lorascollege.
About Loras College
Loras College leverages its historic roots as Iowa’s first college, the second oldest Catholic college west of the Mississippi River, and one of the nation’s 10 diocesan colleges to deliver challenging, life-changing experiences as part of its residential, Catholic setting. Loras is ranked 11th out of the Top 100 baccalaureate colleges, according to the 2016 Washington Monthly College Rankings, and the 13th Best Regional College, according to Midwest U.S. News Best Colleges.
About The American Legion
The American Legion is the nation’s largest wartime veteran service organization, with 2.4 million members in nearly 14,000 posts in nearly every community. The Legion, established by an act of Congress in 1919, was instrumental in getting the original GI Bill passed by Congress and the creation of the Department of Veterans Affairs. To date, the American Legion of Iowa Foundation has provided $11,000 in funding for Loras College veteran students and programming.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
