Veterans from anywhere in the U.S. could attend Eastern Michigan University at in-state rates, under a new award approved at the regents' monthly meeting Tuesday.

"This reflects our continuing commitment to veterans, which has resulted in Eastern's recognition as one of the top 'military friendly' schools by G.I. Jobs magazine," EMU President Susan Martin told the board and audience of about 75.

The EMU Vet Connect award would be made to non-resident veterans with at least one year of service who have been either honorably discharged or medically separated from service.

There is one out-of-state veteran attending EMU now who stands to benefit from the award, said Bernice Lindke, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. While there are 13 other out-of-state veterans attending EMU, they already pay in-state tuition because they either are taking courses online or are from Ohio, which means they qualify for in-state tuition under a special arrangement.

Money available for the program will come out of the general fund and pay the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for those who qualify.

There are about 300 students who receive veteran’s benefits on campus through the federal GI Bill and other sources. About 100 of those students, though, are the dependents of veterans.

EMU's status as military friendly is due much in part to its Veterans Service Office, which helps veteran students navigate funding and the transition to college, among other things. The Student Veterans of America group began meeting in January this year with the goal of providing those with military backgrounds a social network and educating the campus and community about military life and experiences.

In other news:

• The regents announced their choice for a speaker for the Dec. 20 commencement is TV's tough-talking Judge Mathis. Judge Greg Mathis, host of the nationally syndicated, reality-based court show, will speak at the December ceremony at EMU's Convocation Center. Mathis, 49, is a Detroit native and EMU graduate who overcame adversity to become the youngest superior court judge elected for Michigan's 36th District, regent Thomas Sidlik said. In his teens, Mathis dropped out of school and was in and out of jail before straightening out and earning his GED. He enrolled at EMU, and earned a bachelor's degree in public administration in 1983 and a law degree from the University of Detroit in 1987. His show, Judge Mathis, debuted in 1999.

• Anticipating an increased need for assistance in the future, the EMU regents approved over $30.4 million in financial aid for 2010-2011, an increase of $1.4 million over this year's projected $29 million.

• EMU regents passed a resolution to recognize Disabilities Awareness Week, Monday through Thursday this week. EMU's student-run newspaper The Eastern Echo penned an article on the week and corresponding events here.

Juliana Keeping covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter