H.B. 4316 (H-1): COMMITTEE SUMMARY TUITION WAIVER: VETS’ CHILDREN
House Bill 4316 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House) Sponsor: Representative Terry London
House Committee: Higher Education
Senate Committee: Human Resources, Labor and Veterans Affairs Date Completed: 5-9-96
The bill would amend Public Act 245 of 1935, which provides for a tuition waiver at a State tax supported educational or training institution for the children of certain Michigan veterans, to increase the maximum age of eligibility for the tuition waiver; limit the program to undergraduate studies; delete a provision for the extension of eligibility beyond the maximum age; and delete a limit on eligibility if the person receives other benefits.
Currently, a person not under 16 or over 22 years of age who has been a Michigan resident for the preceding 12 months, and who is a child of a Michigan veteran must be admitted to and may attend, without paying tuition, a Michigan State tax supported educational or training institution of a secondary or college grade, if the veteran was killed in action or died from another cause during a war or war condition in which the United States has been, is, or may be a participant; died or is totally disabled, as a result of a service-connected illness or injury; or is officially listed by the United States government as missing in action in a foreign country.
Under the bill, a person greater than 16 and less than 26 years of age would be eligible for the tuition waiver program. The bill also specifies that the program would cover a State tax supported educational or training institution of a secondary or college undergraduate grade.
The bill would delete a provision that a person whose education is interrupted by military service, or by a physically or mentally disabling condition or illness that interrupts education for at least one month, has his or her eligibility extended beyond the maximum age limit for a period equal to the time lost due to the disabling condition.
The bill also would delete a provision that a person otherwise eligible for the Act’s educational or training benefits is not eligible for those benefits if he or she is receiving an educational benefit, scholarship, or financial aid from another state.
MCL 35.111 Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the State’s veterans tuition program. The bill would extend the maximum age limit for participation in the program from 22 to 25 years of age. Currently, the program eliminates 25 people from participation due to age limits being reached. The program spends an average of $2,100 per year for tuition payments for each participant. If
all 25 that were declared age-ineligible were to continue an additional year under the program, the additional cost to the program would be $52,500. It is unknown, however, how many of these persons would continue in the program or how many persons would enter the program for the first time. The provision in statute that limits participation in the program to 36 months full time equated education would continue to apply under the bill and would limit the number who otherwise might be eligible to receive tuition benefits past the age of 23. In addition, the bill would limit tuition payments under the program to undergraduate education. Currently, the program pays out approximately $20,000 annually in graduate tuition payments. Therefore, the bill would result in a net cost to the veterans tuition program in an amount that cannot be determined at this time, but an amount that is likely to be well under $100,000 per year.
Fiscal Analyst: B. Baker
S9596\S4316SA
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.