The G.I. Bill, updated in 2008, currently allows 102 veterans and dependents to fund their education at Emporia State.

Sean Collins, director of G.I. Jobs magazine and vice president at Victory Media, said that ESU’s inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools shows commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students, according to a university press release.

The G.I. Bill helps veterans with active duty service on, or after, Sept. 11, 2001 pay for the education.

“Students who are eligible for the G.I. Bill receive a monthly subsidy for their services in the military, or children of veterans sometimes can receive money from their parents missing in action or have a disability because of their military action,” said Marilyn Buchele, executive assistant for Student Affairs and Veteran Educational Services coordinator, “or if their parents are still active in the military and can designate their benefits to their children.”

The Student Veterans Association is working to help facilitate university and veteran relations. Buchele said the group is conducting surveys of the veterans on campus to see what additions they would like to have within the university.

Timothy Bartley, sophomore marketing major, has served in the Navy for four years.

“The school is friendly, and I benefited from school programs,” Bartley said. “It introduces me to more people. I think (ESU) is very updated, very well made…this is a great place. It’s very good for what you pay for it.”

But Bartley also said that it is a little hard for him to get used to the campus life since there is not an abundance of rules and regulations on campus.

“By joining the military, learning the skills, and coming back, I kind of grew up and feel a lot better. It’s different getting used to the life,” Bartley said.

After serving in the Navy for 30 years, Clarence Frye, sophomore economics major, moved back to his hometown, Lebo. Because he did not have a college degree, Frye decided to go back to school.

“ESU is a campus (that) invites military veterans,” Frye said. “We can use the G.I. Bill at ESU and Emporia is the birthplace of Veteran’s Day. The Memorial Unuion was set up to honor veterans.”

Frye said ESU is also “more friendly” to veterans than other campuses in the state. All of his tuition and books are paid for through the G.I. Bill.

Buchele said ESU has educated 21,088 veterans, their dependents and reservists since 1967.