In-state vs. out-of-state tuition changes
There have been some changes to how the GI Bill addresses in-state and out-of-state tuition. Not too long ago, Section 702 of the Veterans Choice Act made it mandatory for all state universities to allow users of the GI Bill in-state status for three years after the Veteran separated from the military. Congress deemed that unfair for veterans who wanted to take a break or get a part-time job while they determined what they wanted to do with their life.
New Veteran Choice Act Requirements
Changes in Section 702 of the Veterans Choice Act allow the VA to disapprove public college programs if they charge qualifying Veterans and dependents tuition and fees in excess of the rate for resident students.
Section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (“Choice Act”), requires VA to disapprove programs of education for payment of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty at public institutions of higher learning (IHLs) if the school charges qualifying Veterans and dependents tuition and fees in excess of the rate for resident students for terms beginning after July 1, 2015.
The va.gov webpage outlines these requirements in more detail, but I recommend you speak to the School Certifying Official (SCO), who is the representative for VA benefits at the school to which you are applying. The VA requires that there be an SCO for each school accepting VA educational benefits, and you can find their names on the GI Bill Comparison Tool.
To find the SCO’s name at the university that you want to attend, find the university in the search bar of the GI Bill Comparison Tool, click onto the university’s page, and scroll all the way to the bottom of the school page (see image above.)
You can get numbers and more information on how to find the SCO of the university webpage as well.
Important things to Remember
- Maintain good communication with the School Certifying Official (SCO)
- You’ll keep your status as a covered individual as long as you stay enrolled at your school. You can take scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms, but if you leave school and then enroll again, you won’t keep your status as a covered individual for in-state tuition unless the school allows you.
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