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House expands graduate tuition waiver for Purple Heart recipients
Summary
House Bill 271 would extend tuition waivers for Purple Heart recipients to graduate study (up to $10,000 over a five-year window); the House approved the bill 68–0 with seven members absent.
The Utah House passed House Bill 271, extending the state’s Purple Heart tuition waiver program to cover graduate work with a maximum benefit of $10,000, provided certain eligibility timelines are met. The final vote was reported as 68 yes, 0 no, 7 absent.
Representative Maris, speaking in support of the bill, described the program’s intent: beginning in the 2008–09 academic year the waiver would be available to Purple Heart recipients who completed an undergraduate degree within the last 10 years and who enroll in graduate work within five years of applying. “Beginning this year ... it would provide a tuition waiver for recipients of Purple Heart recipients for up to $10,000 to complete their graduate work,” the sponsor said on the floor.
Floor debate included speakers who noted the importance of the benefit for wounded veterans and cautioned about future fiscal commitments for higher education institutions; members also highlighted that current enrollment numbers for undergraduate waivers are small, and that the cost impact will depend on uptake. The bill passed and will be forwarded to the Senate.
