Tuition discounts for combat veterans

On its way to the governor is a bill saying combat veterans who have served since the terrorist attacks in 2001 cannot be charged more than 50-dollars per credit hour in state universities.

The bill does not cover private universities. It does not cover graduate courses.

Sponsor Maida Coleman of St. Louis says it’s a small step but a well-deserved one. She says the state needs to show returning combat veterans that they are appreciated and their service is honored.

Regular in-state undergraduate tuition in state universities ranges from 135-dollars at Missouri Southern State University to 243 dollars per credit hour at Truman State..

Universities will lose money in the program. But they’ll be able to ask the legislature to appropriate money to make up the difference between the 50-dollars and their regular tuition rates.