Other articles by Carol Ann Alaimo:

Noisy F-35 still without a home Tucsonan helping preserve Iraq's prized historic sites Britt, military working dog, earns last rites befitting hero Army hero's dog tag is found by group here Major international drill based at D-M to focus on rescue skills, coordination Another death in medical barracks D-M after charter middle school On Vets Day, new book debuts here, telling the stories of female warriors Local therapist taps into promising help for combat-linked stress Tucson airmen part of US push to create good will in Latin America

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A new day for veterans dawns today at the University of Arizona.

Bracing for an influx of former military personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan, the university is opening a resource office to provide them with information and referral services, peer support and a dedicated place to relax and study on campus.

"It's a place where veterans can come together, share their experience and help each other through this process of transitioning into college mode," said Cynthia Quijada, a director of special projects at the UA.

"Obviously these are not traditional students," Quijada said. "They are more mature. They have different life experiences and different needs."

The office will be staffed by specially trained students who are veterans themselves.

UA spokesman Johnny Cruz said about 400 veterans attend the UA.

The university expects to see a "significant spike" in that number over the next decade, though officials aren't sure by how much, Cruz said.

One reason for the expected boom is a recent change that expands the availability of education benefits for military personnel who served after Sept. 11, 2001. The new law, dubbed the Post 9/11 GI Bill, takes effect in August 2009.

Under the bill, veterans with 36 months of active-duty service after 9/11 may qualify to have 100 percent of tuition covered for 36 months at in-state public institutions of higher learning. The bill also provides housing allowances and $1,000-a-year stipends for books and supplies.

Veterans with less than 36 months of service can qualify for lesser amounts of assistance depending on how long they served.

UA's new veterans office provides information on the GI Bill, enrollment and financial aid. The office also offers referrals for veterans in need of counselling, tutoring or other services.