For the second straight year, the University of Georgia School of Law commits to providing financial aid to every veteran who accepts its offer of admission for the fall of 2020 - a guarantee known as the "Butler Commitment." Furthermore, the law school is pleased to share that 100% of veterans currently enrolled in its Juris Doctor program are receiving some form of scholarship aid from the school.
The Butler Commitment was launched earlier this year to guarantee financial aid to 100% of veterans who matriculated in the fall 2019 entering class. The initiative and its expansion are supported by renowned trial attorney and 1977 law school alumnus Jim Butler, who also helped establish law school's Veterans Legal Clinic in 2018.
"The law school is tremendously proud to be able to assist former military members as they seek to become lawyers and to advocate for others," School of Law Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge said. "Jim Butler continues to strongly believe in those who have served our country similar to his father and brother, and the school is happy to honor the Butler family connection to military service in this manner."
The law school's Veterans Legal Clinic provides veterans in Georgia with legal assistance they might not otherwise have access to or be able to afford, with particular regard to denied or deferred claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Legal Clinic also provides support to undergraduate veterans who work in the clinic through the Department of Veterans Affairs Work Study Allowance program.
Additionally, the School of Law participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon program allows institutions of higher learning to make additional money available to fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the tuition and fees covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Under the program, the Department of Veterans Affairs matches school aid contributions made to eligible veterans.