Should the state do more to help veterans attend college?
That's the question raised in two new bills, which would require public schools to offer in state or in-district tuition to all vets.
Jennifer Smith, a Gulf War veteran, knows all too well the cost of education.
Smith: "I went to Western for an undergrad and I have other graduate and post- graduate degrees."
And she says going back to college after active duty is now more important than ever.@
Smith: "You really need it to remain marketable."
That's why she's pleased to see lawmakers push for public universities and community colleges to offer in-state tuition, or in-district pricing to all veterans.
Senator Rick Jones: "We need to do everything we can as a nation, as a state, to assist them."
MSU offers in-state tuition for vets who move to Michigan within 90 days of discharge.
LCC offers in-state tuition to all veterans but not in-district tuition, which is significantly lower. @
Evan Montague, the Dean of Students at LCC says forcing community colleges to offer in-district tuition to all vets would be unfair considering it wouldn't apply to private schools.
Montague: "From that consistent standpoint it would be a difficult policy to enforce across the board if private institutions are allowed to charge their rate of tuition and fees."
But Smith says any assistance the state can offer will help vets find jobs.
Smith: "So many people are coming back and really you have to distinguish yourself in some way and really education allows you to do that."
And with the unemployment rate of Michigan veterans at 29 percent, she says it's obvious something needs to be done.
If the bills pass through the legislature, the proposal would be on the ballot for voters to decide in November.
