(cwoullard@mscd.edu)
Photo by: Drew Jaynes
(ajaynes1@msc.edu)
In this recession, affording tuition has become further out of reach for many in Colorado. But it could move a little closer for some.
A new bill in the state legislature would allow honorably discharged veterans to pay in-state tuition regardless of their residency.
Proposed Jan. 7 by Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Douglas, HB 09-1039 would also offer in-state tuition to any children or dependents of honorably discharged veterans.
Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Jefferson, has co-sponsored the bill. McNulty said he felt the bill was necessary because of his campaign promises in 2006 and 2008 to make veterans a priority.
“It seems to me that helping our veterans integrate themselves into civilian society must be a priority and this is a very simple way we can do that,” said McNulty, who in 2007 successfully pushed through legislation that granted in-state tuition to active-duty college students.
Currently, only students who have legal residence in Colorado can pay the in-state rate. The difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition can be significant. At Metro, for the 2008-2009 academic year, a Colorado resident taking 15 credit-hours pays $1,620.44, including mandatory fees and the College Opportunity Fund stipend. A nonresident taking the same number of credit-hours pays $5,974.64. That’s more than three times as much.
McNulty also said he felt it was important with this new bill not to forget the loved ones who support America’s veterans.
“Members of our military are the ones who sacrifice themselves on the front lines but all too often we forget about the wives, the sons and the daughters and the sacrifices made by them, so it makes perfect sense to include them in this legislation,” McNulty said.
Veterans Services Coordinator Janet Maestas said she thinks the bill would be great for veterans because Colorado is lagging behind other states in providing in-state tuition for veterans, but she was skeptical if it would become a reality.
“I just really don’t think with the current budget situation that it would be passed,” Maestas said. “They’re cutting millions from higher education and other programs…so how can they pass this? Because this would be a big ticket item.”
McNulty said the bill, if passed, would have no fiscal impact because it’s voluntary for colleges and universities.
“A college or university could choose not to participate, but I think they do that at their own peril.”
If this bill passed, Maestas said, it would affect veterans’ financial aid because such a cut in tuition would be considered a veterans’ benefit, or resource. She said this bill would really benefit veterans more in Fall 2010 when veterans’ benefits will no longer be factored into financial aid.
“Veterans are only eligible to use the G.I. Bill for 10 years, so for all veterans who are beyond that 10 years it would be beneficial,” she said.
Maestas said active-duty soldiers already have their tuition and books paid for through the G.I. Bill, and that her office deals with fewer than 10 active-duty soldiers. There are also few nonresident veterans at Metro, she said.
McNulty said by having more veterans attending Colorado’s higher education institutions that all students would benefit.
“I think students who are in college will benefit from having been familiar with the life experiences of someone who’s been in the military. So hopefully it will become a draw for people like that to seek education in Colorado,” he said.
To legally classify for in-state tuition, students (or their parents, if the students are under the age of 23) must prove they have lived in and intended to stay in Colorado for a year before the first day of class. Students can show intent in the form of license plates, a driver’s license and payment of state income tax, among other things.
“Colorado is home to multiple military installations…If (veterans) want to advance their education here they shouldn’t have to wait that year,” McNulty said.
The measure passed unanimously Jan. 20 in the House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs and will now go to the House Committee on Appropriations. Assuming it passes there it will go to the house floor for a second reading, a third reading and then on to the senate.
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