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GI Bill money to spare

Missouri’s colleges and universities will begin implementing a cap on college tuition for veterans this fall thanks to a new law intended to help with costs.

For certain combat veterans who were Missouri residents when they joined the military, the state is limiting tuition to $50 per credit hour. That means a student taking a full-time, 12-hour course load would owe $600 in tuition — and still collect full GI Bill reimbursement payments. The extra money goes directly to the vet and can be used for books and living expenses rather than tuition.

Schools have the option to implement the fee cap in the spring, but most expect to pull off the change in time for the fall semester, said Zora AuBuchon, assistant commissioner for the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

It’s up to each state whether to offer additional education benefits at all, and there are seemingly no two states with the same rules. Some reduce rates for war veterans, others for National Guard members or family members, and others a combination of the three.

Examples of new state benefits established in 2007 include a $1,000-per-semester reimbursement program in Minnesota and Mississippi’s decision to pay state National Guard members’ room and board. Texas expanded its tuition exemption to allow students to receive the state exemption at the same time as federal benefits.

State-implemented tuition waivers and other discounts only apply to state colleges and universities and often carry residency requirements.

Missouri’s new tuition cap received legislative approval as part of a larger bill to make the state more military-friendly.

AuBuchon said she’s not sure how next year’s new GI Bill will affect students or Missouri’s program. To find what your state offers, check with its higher education department.