Tri-County Tech becomes first school to award a VSF scholarship
February 12, 2015
PENDLETON, SC – An Anderson man is the first recipient of a Veterans Scholarship Forever scholarship.
Chris Tellier joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1996 – two weeks after his high school graduation in Florida. He served eight years and was discharged in February 2004. He worked as a diesel mechanic after his service in the Savannah, Ga. area before moving to the Upstate in 2012 to be near family.
However, after working in retail in the Anderson area, he decided to go back to school to get a CDL A commercial license, but found out that his G.I. Bill only paid 80 percent of tuition costs. As he pondered what to do next, Tri County Technical College officials told him about the VSF scholarship.
“Veteran Scholarships Forever helps veterans and their spouses take vocational and skilled trades training programs that can lead to immediate employment,” said Ron Demonet, the scholarship program’s managing director. Tri-County Technical College is the first school to award a VSF scholarship. The program also is in place at Greenville Technical College and Spartanburg Community College.
People interested in applying for the scholarship should contact Tri-County Technical College’s Corporate and Community Education Center. People interested in donating to the scholarship fund can contact www.scholarshipsforever.org.
Demonet started Veteran Scholarships Forever after learning about the high unemployment rates for veteran post the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Although there are government programs like the G.I. Bill, which help veterans get an education, these programs do not cover all types of training.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Veteran Scholarships Forever receives contributions from individuals and organizations. Once donations are received, Veterans Scholarships Forever establishes endowments at evaluated colleges where veterans can apply for these scholarships.
The college then manages the endowment and provides scholarships to veterans with the most need to obtain the skills needed to be qualified for a job placement that will allow veterans to provide for themselves and their families, he said.
About Veterans Scholarships Forever:
Veterans Scholarships Forever is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the goal to help Veterans transition back to civilian life quickly and successfully. Learn more at www.scholarshipsforever.org.
