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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Kenyatta Johnson
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House committee approves Johnson measure
to extend tuition benefits for vets
HARRISBURG, Dec. 15 – The state House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee today unanimously approved a measure sponsored by Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, D-Phila., that would extend state tuition benefits for military personnel and their dependents.
The bill (H.B. 830) ) would allow members of the military or their dependents who are called to serve active duty outside the Commonwealth to continue to be eligible for resident tuition rates until they complete their degree, essentially allowing them to pause their studies until they return from active duty.
Under this measure, active duty personnel would also be eligible to keep these benefits regardless of a change of major, giving them the opportunity to study whatever they choose.
"This measure allows our brave military personnel who serve our state and our country the flexibility to pause their studies while they are serving, as well as to alter their major based on interest and experience, while still qualifying for in-state tuition rates, which they have more than earned," Johnson said.
The legislation would update Act 287 of 1982, which defines residency for active military and civilian Department of Defense personnel who are stationed or transferred to serve in Pennsylvania. It would allow these individuals and their families to receive the resident tuition rates at community colleges, state-owned institutions and state-related institutions of higher education.
The measure now awaits consideration by the full House.
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