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Changes considered in veterans tuition bill

By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 26, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

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Only veterans decorated for their actions in combat after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks would be eligible for free tuition to Colorado colleges and universities under a compromise that a lawmaker is willing to make.

But Rep. Rafael Gallegos, D-Antonito, said Monday that he rejected the Colorado Department of Higher Education's effort to further restrict eligibility to post- Sept. 11 decorated veterans who are disabled.

Higher education officials contend that Gallegos' original plan to give free tuition to all decorated combat veterans who met certain residency requirements would be too costly to Colorado's cash-strapped schools.

"I've received a lot of calls and e-mails supporting this, so the need is there," said Gallegos, an Air Force veteran who struggled to put himself through a state university on the GI Bill when he was married with two children.

"They see no reason why this money can't be found," he said, referring to the bill's supporters. "We're not talking millions of dollars here; we're talking a few hundred thousand dollars."

John Karakoulakis, a spokesman for the Department of Higher Education, said that Gallegos' offer of a compromise is being studied.

Higher education officials have taken flak in recent weeks after the Rocky Mountain News published an e-mail from a lobbyist for the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to two dozen state Capitol lobbyists stating that "we need to kill this bill, and (the Colorado Department of Higher Education) has been happy to take the lead."

Now, Gallegos hopes that his bill will survive a hearing next week at which he will introduce the compromise amendment.

To be eligible for the free tuition, individuals would have to be legal Colorado residents at the time of the military action for which they received the Purple Heart or a higher combat service medal.

Veterans also would have to meet the one-year state residency requirement before enrolling at school.

Comments

  • February 27, 2008

    9:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    CSUStudent writes:

    This may seem like a good idea, BUT What about those of us veterans, who served prior to Sept 11, who gave just as much in combat and elsewhere??!!

    This is not a fair bill. It should be stopped.