Two state bills concerning the allowance of in-state tuition for dependents of military personnel will be up for consideration in both the House of Delegates and the Senate.
House Bill No. 695, proposed by Del. Terrie Suit, R-Virginia Beach, and Del. William Janis, R-Glen Allen, passed through the Committee on Education Monday and is awaiting further consideration through the Committee on Appropriations.
The billwould allow for in-state tuition as well as in-state status for dependents of military, according to Del. Kenneth C. Alexander, D-Norfolk, one of the bill's patrons.
"The bill provides the in-state tuition for active duty military personnel dependents meaning spouse and/or child under the dependent age," Alexander said. "Those who are qualified or eligible and listed by the Department of the Defense as being a dependent of military personnel -- those persons are eligible for our community's colleges and four-year universities and are classified as in-state students for the purposes of tuition."
According to the bill's Senate patron, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, it makes sense to offer financial incentives to military families.
"I signed the bill because it seems to me a way to say to these families, 'You're welcome in Virginia and your service is appreciated,'" Deeds said.
Alexander said he sees the bill continuing through the House.
"The bill will probably pass the House," he said. "I can't speak for the Senate."
In the Senate, another bill was proposed by Sen. Jay O'Brien, R-Clifton. If passed, the bill would allow for in-state tuition for dependents of military personnel; however, the dependents would have out-of-state status.
SB 121 differs from that of HB 695 in the admissions status taken by the dependent, O'Brien explained.
According to O'Brien, Suit's bill treats these students as in-state students and O'Brien's bill treats them as out-of-state students who are subsidized. The difference is that if they are treated as in-state students they are taking the spot of our in-state students who are constituents, O'Brien added.
If SB 121 passes, the bill would include a cost, he said.
"The cost estimate would be about eight million dollars, which is the difference between their tuition and fees as an out-of-state student and as an in-state student," he said. "It's not a pure equation of the number of out-of-states as in-states -- the fact is that we don't know if we did this how many would participate in the program."
O'Brien, however, does not expect the bill to pass.
"I think the Senate would not look too favorably on it only because of the price tag," he said. "Otherwise, who wouldn't want to support our servicemen and women and their families. ... My prognosis though is neither one will pass because of the costs."
Neither bill would change a student's ability to receive financial aid here at the University. Financial need can be met for all students regardless of status, explained Melvin Miller, associate director of Student Financial Services.
"The change would not propose a challenge to us, primarily because the way we award students, we ensure their financial aid need is met 100 percent," Miller said. "So then the student in-state or out-of-state -- depending upon what their cost is -- they'll receive an award that will address any educational financial need that they have."
Read More
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | 9 hours agoThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 3 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 3 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
