OLR Bill Analysis
AN ACT CONCERNING TUITION WAIVER BENEFIT FOR CHILDREN AND SURVIVING SPOUSES OF ARMED FORCES MEMBERS KILLED IN ACTION.
This bill requires UConn, the Connecticut State University (CSU) system, and the regional community-technical colleges (CTC) to waive tuition for any state resident who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a state resident killed in action while performing active military duty in the U. S. Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001 (see BACKGROUND). Currently, the schools must waive tuition for eight other classes of students.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2008
BACKGROUND
Tuition Waivers at UCONN, CSU, and CTC
Currently, these schools must waive tuition for the following:
1. dependent child of post-1959 missing-in-action or prisoner-of-war veterans;
2. wartime and certain combat or combat-support role veterans;
3. resident age 62 or older, under prescribed circumstances;
4. Connecticut State Police Academy student enrolled in an academy law enforcement program offered in coordination with the school;
5. active Connecticut National Guard member certified by the adjutant general to be in good standing (undergraduate program only);
6. dependent child of a police officer, supernumerary, auxiliary police officer, paid or volunteer firefighter; or municipal or state employee killed in the line of duty;
7. state resident who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a state resident; and
8. dependent child of a state resident killed in the July 29, 2005 Avon road multivehicle crash.
Attorney General's Opinion on Residency and Veterans' Benefits
In a 1991 opinion, the attorney general said that a residency requirement for veterans tuition waiver was unconstitutional. The statute at the time required the college boards to waive tuition for wartime veterans provided they were state residents when they entered the service, while serving, and when accepted for admission to the school.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Select Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Joint Favorable Change of Reference
Yea |
10 |
Nay |
0 |
(02/28/2008) |
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Joint Favorable Change of Reference
Yea |
18 |
Nay |
0 |
(03/06/2008) |
Appropriations Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea |
54 |
Nay |
0 |
(03/28/2008) |