This fall, NorthWest Arkansas Community College will launch a tuition waiver plan we hope will make college more accessible for veterans transitioning to civilian life after serving our country.

The plan will allow U.S. veterans who reside in another state (or who previously lived in another state and are now moving to Northwest Arkansas) to pay an in-state tuition rate. In-state tuition is $122.50 per credit hour, while the out-of-state rate is $175. Under this program, those veterans who have recently moved to Northwest Arkansas are not required to meet a six-month residency requirement that typically applies to students from another state.

What this means for veterans is a little more money in the pocketbook that can be applied toward books or living expenses. What it means for the college is perhaps less tangible, but no less significant. Our other students and the greater college community benefit from the leadership skills, commitment to core values and dedication to service that veterans demonstrate. In the classroom, their perspectives and contributions to discussions mean a richer and deeper learning experience for all. In campus life, veterans show us what it means to be leaders and also what it means to be followers -- to be part of a team working together in service dedicated toward a cause greater than ourselves.

At NorthWest Arkansas Community College, this new policy regarding tuition for veterans is only part of what we provide to help service members moving from active military service to academic studies and beyond. The Office of Veterans Resources serves more than 450 veterans and family members each year and offers academic advising for all enrolled veterans and dependents of veterans, guidance for students in what degree plan to pursue to ensure their veteran benefits will apply, and an information area with resources available to veterans and their dependents. The College also assists students with obtaining education credit for military service through their Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System, Sailor-Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript, and Community College of the Air Force transcripts.

We also partner with the Vet Center of Fayetteville to provide readjustment counseling and other services on campus and with the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks to provide group counseling on campus for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn veterans. In 2013 NWACC became a part of the VetSuccess on Campus program through a partnership with the University of Arkansas Veteran Resource Center. This program is an innovative approach to help veterans in what can be a difficult transition from military service to academic life, and it is specifically aimed at veteran student success.

Organizations and members of our community also are partnering with the NorthWest Arkansas Community College Foundation to provide new scholarship support for veterans who want to attend NWACC. This spring, the Home For Dinner Scholarship and the Josh McCandless Veteran's Scholarship provided 16 scholarship awards for the fall semester. Home for Dinner is a nonprofit organization formed in 2011 by a group of Benton County residents with a goal of providing every veteran in Benton and Washington counties with the gift of a meal at a local restaurant to share with their family and friends. The Josh McCandless Veteran's Scholarship was established after a fundraising drive spearheaded by college students, and the drive included the contributions of schoolchildren at Ardis Ann Middle School in Bentonville. It speaks volumes about the commitment NWACC has to veterans that our students were willing to lead this initiative. The tuition waiver represents one more step in this process to give back to those who serve.

There is the possibility legislation discussed in Congress eventually may extend the in-state tuition benefit to veterans in all states. NWACC is proud to be on the forefront of providing this important benefit to our servicemen and servicewomen. For those who have put their lives on the line for their country, it seems common sense to provide them with the tools they need to make the transition back to their everyday lives. The tuition waiver is a small way to show our appreciation to those who serve. It also seems the right thing to do for those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

EVELYN JORGENSON IS PRESIDENT OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE. SHE BECAME PRESIDENT IN MID-2013.