The $3 million annual budget was cut to $1.4 million in order to put more money, and boots on the ground in support of Operation Lone Star. Soldiers had been getting $4,500 per semester in aid.
The Texas National Guard has more than 20,000 troops.
Colonel Retired Jeff Yarvis has a Ph.D. and teaches social work at Texas A&M Central Texas. He says most of the soldiers are happy to do their duty at the border.
"I don't see the loss of education benefits a permanent thing," Yarvis said. "The leadership probably really struggled with pulling the funds for that but saw that the need of the operational readiness and security of Texas was more important."
Yarvis adds the longer these soldiers serve the faster they'll be promoted which will lead to higher pay.
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