Bill to strengthen veteran support offices at Ohio colleges seeks $2.3 million over biennium

Representatives White and Stewart presented House Bill 95 to expand and resource offices of veteran and family support across Ohio’s higher education institutions. Sponsors said the bill aims to recruit and retain veteran and military‑connected students by funding campus service scholarships, growth grants for veteran office development and shared programming that builds employer connections and fundraising capacity.

Program specifics: Sponsors said the bill would provide service scholarships of $1,000 per semester plus $500 for programming to student military community advocates on each participating campus, support development and fundraising training for veteran offices and fund a communications and outreach platform. They estimated the package would cost approximately $2,300,000 over the biennium.

Personal testimony and rationale: Representative Stewart described his own transition from active duty to Ohio State and said dedicated staff and supports made a substantial difference. Sponsors argued the package improves the state’s competitiveness to recruit veterans and supports consistent services across campuses.

Questions and follow-up: Committee members asked about data sources for the financial estimates, the process used to derive numbers and how Purple Star designations for K‑12 and campus programs would interact. Sponsors said they consulted university practitioners, the Inter University Council and the National Veterans Leadership Foundation to develop assumptions and will supply additional detail if needed.

Next steps: Sponsors expect student leaders and veteran office representatives to testify in future hearings and asked the committee to consider keeping the funding in the state operating budget.