Wisconsin Senate Bill SB16

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/23
• Refer: 1/27/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Tuition and fee remission for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college. (FE)

Impact

If enacted, SB16 could significantly broaden access to higher education for veterans and their families, particularly those who may not have been long-term residents of Wisconsin before their military service. By removing the five-year residency requirement, the bill could potentially lead to an increase in enrollments in the UW System and technical colleges among veterans who have since established residency in Wisconsin. This change may therefore have positive implications for educational institutions and communities by fostering a more inclusive environment for veterans and their families.

Summary

Senate Bill 16 aims to amend the existing residency requirements for the tuition and fee remission program for veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System and technical colleges. The proposed legislation seeks to eliminate the five-year residency prerequisite that currently applies to veterans who were not residents of Wisconsin when they entered military service. This change would allow veterans, as well as their spouses and children, to qualify for tuition remission under different circumstances than previously stipulated.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding SB16, particularly from those who advocate for maintaining residency requirements as a means of ensuring that state resources are primarily allocated to individuals with deeper ties to the community. Critics could argue that eliminating these requirements might encourage non-residents to take advantage of educational benefits intended for local veterans, thus placing additional financial strain on educational institutions and taxpayers in the state. In contrast, proponents of the bill argue that veterans have already made significant sacrifices for the country and should not face barriers to education upon their return to civilian life.