Current:Home > MyVirginia lawmakers repeal restrictions on popular tuition waiver program for military families -Quantum Capital Pro
Virginia lawmakers repeal restrictions on popular tuition waiver program for military families
View
Date:2025-04-12 15:32:28
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to legislation that will repeal new restrictions on a tuition waiver program for military families.
The House of Delegates and state Senate each voted unanimously to fully restore the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, which offers free college tuition at state schools for families of military veterans who were killed or seriously disabled while on active duty.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin returned to Richmond on Thursday from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee to sign the legislation into law.
The program’s costs have risen from $12 million to $65 million in five years. The state budget passed earlier this year restricted eligibility for the program to associate and undergraduate degrees, required participants to apply for other forms of financial aid and tightened residency requirements.
Veterans and their families vehemently protested the new restrictions, but state lawmakers struggled for weeks to reach an agreement on a solution.
The Washington Post reports that the bills approved Thursday set aside $45 million a year over the next two years to help colleges and universities deal with the expense, on top of $20 million per year that was already included in the budget.
Several groups are working on a long-term solution to control the costs of the program, including a task force appointed by Youngkin and a separate task force appointed by the Senate. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission is also studying how to preserve the program. Lawmakers said they would take the issue up again in the General Assembly regular session in January.
veryGood! (3687)
Related
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Japanese automaker Honda revs up on EVs, aiming for lucrative US, China markets
- Latinos found jobs and cheap housing in a Pennsylvania city but political power has proven elusive
- 2024 ACM Awards Winners: See the Complete List
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Shia LaBeouf Returns to Red Carpet for First Time in 4 Years
- Want to try a non-alcoholic beer? Here's how to get a free one Thursday
- Federal prosecutor in Arkansas stepped down while being investigated, report says
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Surgery patients face lower risks when their doctors are women, more research shows
Ranking
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Supreme Court upholds funding structure for CFPB
- See photos, videos of barge that struck Pelican Island bridge, causing Texas oil spill
- Archaeologists believe they’ve found site of Revolutionary War barracks in Virginia
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Elle King Gives Full Story Behind Drunken Dolly Parton Tribute and Sobbing in Dressing Room After
- Rain, cooler temperatures help prevent wildfire near Canada’s oil sands from growing
- These Beverly Hills, 90210 Secrets Are Saucier Than Kissing Your Ex at Your Best Friend's Wedding
Recommendation
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Secret Agents
Promoter for the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight in Texas first proposed as an exhibition
Man smoked marijuana oil, took medication before deadly Florida crash, affidavit says
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
State Department removes Cuba from short list of countries deemed uncooperative on counterterrorism
Blue Origin preparing return to crewed space flights, nearly 2 years after failed mission
It's National Mimosa Day: How to celebrate the cocktail that's often the star of brunch