SB 7028 — Educational Opportunities for Veterans
by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee (MS)
The existing Congressman C.W. “Bill” Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program provides for out-of-state fee waivers for honorably discharged veterans who physically reside in Florida and attend a state university, state college, career center, or charter technical career center. Under this program, veterans who relocate to Florida from another state and enroll in a public postsecondary institution are exempt from the out-of-state fees normally assessed to non-resident students. Currently, the waiver may be applied up to 110 percent of the required credit hours of a degree or certificate program.
The bill amends the Congressman C.W. “Bill” Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program to expand fee waiver eligibility to any individual using United States Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits, commonly referred to as G.I. Bill benefits. As a result, veterans’ dependents and veterans of the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are entitled to the out-of-state fee waiver while using any federal G.I. Bill benefit.
The bill also repeals the statutory provision that restricts the out-of-state fee waiver to 110 percent of the required credit hours of a degree or certificate program.
The bill seeks to comply with recent federal legislation (Public Law 113-146) that requires public postsecondary institutions to provide in-state tuition rates to veterans and eligible dependents as a condition of continuing to receive G.I. Bill education benefits.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 116-0