Through the expanded G. I. Bill, the federal government will fund higher education for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars at a rate equal to the tuition at public institutions within the state where the student is enrolled. In Massachusetts, that amount is less than $6,000.

Private institutions typically cost more than state colleges and universities, and Suffolk University has made a commitment to fund costs in excess of the minimum for all accepted veterans studying in its Sawyer Business School, College of Arts and Science, and Law School.

“Suffolk University has always welcomed our returning veterans, and we see the G.I. Bill as a well-deserved recognition for the service they have given our country,” said Suffolk University President David J. Sargent. “The University is pleased to supplement basic G.I. Bill benefits to expand educational opportunities for men and women returning from duty.”

The federal government will match universities’ supplementary grants under the Yellow Ribbon program, which has made agreements with more than half of the nation’s private institutions. The individual institutional contributions vary.

Suffolk University’s financial commitment to student veterans, combined with the government allowance, will enable eligible veterans to cover the full cost of tuition, fees and books in any of the University’s programs.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the original G.I. Bill of Rights in 1944. Nearly 8 million World War II veterans employed its benefits to participate in an education or training program, and 2.4 million veterans had home loans backed by the VA. The G.I. Bill was been revamped over time to meet the changing needs of veterans. The most recent iteration is the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, which includes the Yellow Ribbon program.

Yellow Ribbon grants will be made available to veterans enrolling at Suffolk University beginning in August 2009.