Military Connection: Paving the Way to a College Education

The Regents of the UC education system if California have decided that military veterans and their dependents who are UC students will be able to pay lower in-state tuition, even if they were previously ineligible.

The change in policy came in response to a federal law that was enacted last year. Aimed primarily at improving Veterans’ access to health care, the law allows any Veteran who has served at least 90 days of active service to pay resident tuition rates in any state within three years of leaving the military. It also covers spouses and dependent children of Veterans meeting certain criteria.

The federal law applies to any public college or university receiving federal funding through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The 10-campus UC system received at least $30 million in those federal grants for the education of about 1,400 veterans and family members in the 2013-14 school year, officials said.

UC regents said they wanted to accommodate military families whose duties often move them so frequently that they do not have the chance to establish residency long enough to qualify for in-state discounted tuition. And they said they wanted to honor the service of military veterans.

UC officials said they did not know exactly how many students will directly benefit from the more lenient policy, but they hope it encourages more of them to attend UC.

While in-state undergraduates pay about $12,200 for tuition (excluding room, board and other costs), out of state, including international students, pay approximately $23,000 on top of that.

Financially independent adult students usually need to have lived in California more than a year, and show intent to become permanent residents to qualify for the lower tuition. Younger students face higher thresholds of proving they have been living on their own income for several years.

Student Veterans have spent their military careers defending the United States, so it’s important to welcome them back to the United States with the American dream: decent housing, a top quality education, wherever they would like to study, and ultimately, a great career.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.