Vermont National Guard to fully cover undergraduate tuition at any state university

Lilly St. Angelo, Burlington Free Press
·1 min read

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly characterized college benefits for dependents and spouses.

A bill passed by the Vermont legislature in early May will give Vermont National Guard members an increased budget for college tuition.

Vermont National Guard members can now get a bachelor's degree fully covered at all state schools including any Vermont State College institution or University of Vermont school. Previous benefits only paid for $11,592 of tuition a year, which fell short of some state university tuition rates, including UVM's.

The Guard will now pay up to $16,392 a year for tuition, which can also be used for a second bachelor's degree or a master's degree. If Guard members wish to attend a private college in Vermont, the Guard will cover tuition up to the in-state rate for undergraduate students at UVM.

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The new bill will also grant spouses and dependents of National Guard members stationed in Vermont immediate access to in-state tuition rates at state universities once they have moved to Vermont. As long as the spouse or dependent stays in Vermont, they have access to in-state tuition rates even if their family member in the Guard is transferred locations on military orders.

“We really appreciate the support the legislature has shown with the passage of these tuition benefits,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont National Guard adjutant general in a recent press release. “The new benefits will set us apart from what all other states in the region offer and will allow us to grow a more educated and professional work force.”

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Contact Urban Change Reporter Lilly St. Angelo at lstangelo@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @lilly_st_ang

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont National Guard: Guard now covers tuition at any state school