A Republican senator has filed a proposal to expand college scholarships to all veterans residing in the state.
The measure would provide for a tuition waiver to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard or Reserve units.
The bill’s author, Sen. Jim Waring, R-7, admits the bill, S1035, is “broad.” Indeed, as written the measure only asks for two simple qualifications to get a tuition waiver from Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, and from community colleges — the person is an Arizona resident and he or she has served in the military.
Across the political aisle, Sen. Jorge Luis Garcia, D-26, said he thinks it’s a good concept.
“I think it’s a good bill,” said Garcia, who also collaborated with Waring a few years back on legislation pertaining to scholarships for the veteran community.
Under current law, a member of the National Guard who received a Purple Heart after the 9/11 terrorist attacks gets a college scholarship. The tuition waiver extends to National Guard members discharged because of an injury suffered while on duty.
Additionally, a child or spouse of a National Guard member killed in the line of duty also gets a scholarship if they meet certain qualifications.
“The idea would be when they get out,” Waring said, “there would be a college scholarship waiting for them.”
Waring said it might be tough to get the bill through at a time when the state is facing a nearly $1 billion deficit. He said he would have to see how universities and colleges respond to the measure.
“This is a tough budget year, but again, I want to help veterans when we can. This is one way we can do it,” he said. “If it is not workable then we will see what we can possibly do.”
Last session, Waring introduced a bill that would have transferred scholarships of veterans who received the Purple Heart — and therefore be eligible for a tuition waiver — to their spouses if they did not avail themselves of the scholarship.
Waring said he is open to suggestions, including the possibility of phasing in the tuition waiver.
Garcia said one overriding question is whether state universities and colleges can afford it.
“You just have to look at what it actually means, what the actual impact is on the universities and the community colleges,” Garcia said. The bill as written does not limit the scholarship to a baccalaureate degree, for example.
While at it, Garcia said he would also like to extend the concept to private colleges and universities within the state.