Committee weighs H.480 changes to expand Vermont National Guard tuition benefit

Members of the Education Committee on April 10 discussed draft changes to H.480 that would broaden the Vermont National Guard tuition benefit, remove a scheduled sunset for graduate‑degree eligibility, and change how the benefit’s value is measured.

The committee focused on what the proposal is intended to accomplish rather than precise wording, lawmakers and National Guard officials said. "We do want flexibility in the program because we do have folks that join us at different stages of life and different stages of levels of education," said Hank Carter, identified in the transcript as a deputy agent judge for the state of New York, representing the Guard in the discussion.

Committee members said the proposal would allow Guard members to use the benefit for certificates and degrees — including trade certificates and programs not offered in Vermont — and would cap the benefit at an amount "equal to twice the full‑time in‑state tuition…