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Panel approves expansion of Hawaii National Guard tuition assistance to graduate degrees
Summary
The committee passed HB 1751 (HD1) to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees; military and University of Hawaii officials testified the change will aid recruitment and professional development.
The House Committee on Higher Education voted Feb. 13 to advance House Bill 1751 (HD1), which would expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees for qualified Guard members.
Brig. Gen. (ret.) Neil Mitsuyoshi, representing the Department of Defense, said competition for recruits is intense and that state tuition assistance flexibility “will go a long way” toward retaining highly qualified service members. Colonel Damon Austin, chief of staff for the Hawaii Army National Guard, described how the program would help Guard members pursue graduate degrees and professionalize the force.
Farrah Marie Gomes of the University of Hawaii system noted the university’s written support and offered to answer committee questions. The chair recommended passing HB 1751 as is; the committee voted to adopt that recommendation and advance the measure.
