Substitute Bill No. 6439 seeks to enhance educational access for veterans and members of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard by establishing tuition and extension fee waivers at public institutions of higher education. The bill mandates that the board of trustees waive these fees for veterans who have served in wartime and are enrolled in educational programs, as well as for active National Guard members. It also clarifies that veterans applying for federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act will have their tuition and extension fees waived, contingent upon their application status. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for waiving fees for dependents of military personnel declared missing in action or prisoners of war, senior residents, and children of public safety officials killed in the line of duty.

Key changes in the bill include the insertion of "extension fees" alongside tuition in various contexts, broadening the scope of financial assistance. The bill repeals certain existing subsections and replaces them with updated provisions that clarify eligibility criteria for tuition waivers, particularly for veterans and National Guard members. It also establishes a mechanism for calculating the veteran tuition benefit based on federal educational assistance, ensuring that veterans are not financially burdened beyond their entitled benefits. Furthermore, the bill mandates that a portion of anticipated tuition revenue be allocated for financial support for students demonstrating substantial financial need, while excluding the value of equity in the principal residence of the student's parents or guardians. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
VA Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 257:
HED Joint Favorable:
FIN Joint Favorable: