VINCENNES, Ind. — A bill signed into law last week allowing veterans greater access to a more-affordable college education will keep Vincennes University among the top schools for military and former military personnel.
The bill, signed by Gov. Pence on May 2, grants in-state tuition eligibility to honorably discharged veterans and active duty National Guard members who enroll in one of Indiana’s state colleges within a year of settling here.
“Currently, there are veterans who come home from serving and have been stationed elsewhere, so they’re not able to declare residency for in-state tuition, increasing their costs upon returning,” VU military education director Matt Schwartz told the Vincennes Sun-Commercial, “this bill takes care of that problem, it fills in the gap.”
As it stands, students enrolling in a state school who have not had an Indiana address for 12 months prior to their enrollment must pay out-of-state tuition rates.
But that will change this summer.
“The bill takes effect July 1, so just in time for summer school,” Schwartz said. “Veterans will have to enroll no later than 12 months after their separation or discharge, and then they must begin the process to establish Indiana residency within the next 12 months.”
The welcome influx of accessibility for veterans coming to Indiana is just another step forward for the military education program at VU, Schwartz added.
