LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- Governor Tom Wolf wants Pennsylvania National Guard members and their families to go to college for free.
He has proposed the Military Family Education Plan or the PA GI Bill.
"With the PA GI Bill, Pennsylvania can lead the way on a program I think we can all agree provides fitting support for our service members and their families," he said.
If approved, the program would allow National Guard members to earn college benefits for their spouses and kids: 10 semesters tuition-free for family members at an approved state college or university.
"I love it! I love it! Really good!" said Jannell Hice of Scranton, who has children in high school.
She said her kids may consider joining the National Guard for benefits like that.
"I believe so. Whatever choices they make, I'll support them. Their dad will support them," she said.
The Pennsylvania National Guard is the third-largest in the nation with 20,000 members. The hope is a program like this would mean even more members.
"It'll be free for them and going to college and everything else. How many people get that opportunity to go, you know? I think it's a good idea," said Thomas Ruddy of Scranton.
Gov. Wolf says there is no program like this for National Guard members in the country and he wants Pennsylvania to pave the way.
For more information about the new bill, click here.
