House education committee expands National Guard tuition waiver to include certificates

Representative Ray presented House Bill 1005 to the House Education Committee on the measurethat expands the National Guard Tuition Waiver Program to allow guardsmen to apply the benefit to postsecondary credentials and certificate programs as well as degree programs.

The bill "updates the National Guard Tuition Waiver Program, and improves it by allowing guardsmen to use it for a post secondary credential or certificate in addition to strictly just a degree seeking program," Representative Ray said.

The nut graf: supporters said the change would better align the benefit with workforce needs by covering short-term technical and trade certificates such as HVAC, EMT training, welding, machining and lineman training that can lead to higher pay and stable employment.

Committee members asked about funding and program limits. Representative Ray said the benefit is paid from the Department of EducationDivision of Higher Education's Higher Education Grants Fund and that a governor's letter this year adds $3,000,000 to that account. "There is adequate money there to to cover it," he said. He also said the program has roughly "4 to 500 guardsmen" participating each year.

On eligibility, Representative Ray confirmed existing law limits participation to those who have not previously earned an undergraduate degree. He noted the original 2017 statute set that qualification and said he was not changing eligibility thresholds in this bill. The committee also heard that the program imposes a per-individual limit on the amount of the benefit, though Representative Ray said the exact per-person cap is set in current law.

University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College Chancellor Summer DePro testified in support and described employer demand for people with military training who also hold job-specific credentials. "I think what Representative Ray is doing is opening up opportunity," DePro said.

The committee moved the bill forward with a voice vote. A member called for a "do pass" motion; the committee chair called for "All in favor say aye," and the bill was reported out of committee as passed that day.

Clarifying details recorded in committee discussion include: the tuition waiver began in 2017 as a retention and recruitment benefit (it replaced a prior Guard Tuition Incentive Program), the Higher Education Grants Fund is the appropriated funding source, and a $3,000,000 gubernatorial letter was cited as added support for the program this year. Committee members also noted the program typically serves about 400to 500 guardsmen annually.

Ending: Representative Ray closed by thanking the committee; the chair announced the bill had passed out of committee. The bill will proceed to the next step in the legislative process.