Timothy Kline doesn’t have to worry about paying for college in Florida, which was deemed the most veteran-friendly state in the country by Florida TaxWatch on Thursday.
The 25-year-old UF telecommunication senior has served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command for six years. Now, he receives assistance from the state’s GI Bill, which was passed earlier this year. It covers his tuition, housing and a portion of his textbooks.
“It means a lot to have a country to come back to that’s so grateful for the people who sacrifice so much,” he said.
The GI Bill provides veterans with education and employment assistance, as well as tax exemptions, according to Florida TaxWatch, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute.
Home to more than 1.6 million veterans, Florida has the third-largest military veteran population in the nation, according to a press release. Some of these veterans need assistance from state programs.
Maximiliano Cruz, a UF mathematics junior, has been in UF’s Army ROTC program for three years.
The 20-year-old said he hopes to serve active duty in the U.S. Army for 20 years and then enjoy the benefits when he retires.
“These veteran programs can help them get their feet on the ground,” he said.
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 11/10/2014]
