SB1266: Arizona Veteran Supportive Campuses
Purpose
Establishes Arizona veteran supportive campuses.
Background
The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is available for those who enlist in the United States Armed Forces. MGIB encompasses both the Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty and the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve. Active Duty members enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months and are then entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed a minimum service obligation. A reservist must be actively drilling and have a 6-year obligation in the Selected Reserve to be eligible.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistant Act of 2008 (GI Bill) provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.
The GI Bill pays tuition based upon the highest in-state tuition charged by a public educational institution in the state where the school is located, a monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school, a books and supplies stipend of $1,000 and a one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals. While the housing allowance and book stipend is paid to the individual, tuition and fees are paid directly to the institution of higher learning.
This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following last discharge or separation from active duty under the Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill and 10 years following last discharge or separation from active duty under the Chapter 30 GI Bill.
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 33,986 Arizona veterans are currently using GI Bill education benefits.
According to statute, a person who is a member of the Armed Forces, their spouse or a dependent child is entitled to classification as an in-state student if the member is stationed in Arizona or has claimed Arizona as their state of legal residence for at least 12 consecutive months. The student, while in continuous attendance toward the degree for which currently enrolled, does not lose in-state student classification.
Additionally, an honorably discharged member of the Armed Forces is granted immediate classification as an in-state student and, while in continuous attendance toward the degree for which currently enrolled, does not lose in-state student classification if they have met certain requirements.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Director of the Department of Veterans’ Services (Director) to certify a postsecondary institution as an Arizona veteran supportive campus.
2. Requires the Director, on the request of a certified postsecondary institution, to be included on a list that is posted on the Department of Veterans’ Service’s (Department) website which is required to include:
a) a link to the website of the campus;
b) a statement that the list does not contain all postsecondary institutions that may qualify as an Arizona postsecondary supportive campus; and
c) a disclaimer that the Department has not verified the information on the websites of the campuses listed and does not endorse any offer made by any sponsor of the website.
3. Requires the Department to make a reasonable effort to notify postsecondary institutions and other appropriate entities of the opportunity to be included on the list of Arizona supportive campuses.
4. Requires each Arizona supportive campus to forward a report on or before December 31 and June 30 of each year to the Department on the number of veterans enrolled.
5. Defines terms.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 11, 2011
Introduced by: Senators Jackson, Meza, Schapira: Aboud, Cajero Bedford, Gallardo, Landrum Taylor
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS – First hearing – Tue, February 15, 9am – 11am at the Arizona State Senate – ROOM: SHR 3 (calendar link)