Alabama News T his increase comes a year after the pandemic caused college enrollment nationally to decline 2.5%. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, the decline in fall 2020 was nearly twice the rate of decline the previous year. With many students planning to return to college campuses this fall, there was a 25% increase from Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship applicants from March-May 2021 from the same period a year ago. The rate is expected to continue rising as students graduate high school this month. The Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program is offered through the ADVA for dependents of eligible Veterans. The scholarship pays for tuition up to the DoD Tuition Assistance Cap (currently $250 per credit hour) and up to $1,000 for the combination of textbooks and required instructional fees at all state supported college and technical schools for five academic years for children and three academic years for spouses. Spouses are eligible for five academic years if the Veteran has a 100% permanent VA disability.