Every veteran nationwide would be eligible for in-state tuition to attend Arkansas’s higher education institutions under a bill passed by the House Education Committee Tuesday. Randy Massanelli, the top lobbyist for the University of Arkansas, spoke in favor.
“This is going to be odd hearing from me but this is about a million dollar hit to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville but we see this as an investment,” Massanelli said. “We’re willing to do this. We want to do it.”
The resident-status tuition for those out of the military for less than three years also applies to other localized tuition rates. The spouse of a veteran and dependent children would also receive the benefit.
The measure, sponsored by Democratic Senator Joyce Elliott of Little Rock has already cleared the Senate and is likely headed to the House floor Wednesday for a final vote. It passed the Senate Monday 34 to 0 and passed a on a voice vote, without audible opposition, in House Education.
