LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University on Tuesday stood in support of State Senate Bill 84 (SB-84), which provides criteria for U.S. military veterans to qualify for in-state tuition at public universities and colleges without first establishing state residency. The present-day GI Bill only covers in-state tuition rates.
“Through their military service, veterans have made possible a society where public education is celebrated and continuous innovation is possible,” said Ava Parker, chief operating officer for Florida Polytechnic University. “No matter what part of the country or world they’re from, veterans have served Florida, and we believe it’s right to offer them this in-state benefit.”
The bill, presented in committee Tuesday by Senator Jack Latvala from Clearwater, proposes extending in-state tuition to U.S. veterans who physically attend Florida state colleges or who physically reside in state while enrolled in online courses at Florida institutions of higher learning. Seventeen states have passed similar measures.
If approved, the measure will take effect July 1, 2014.
Florida Polytechnic University will welcome its inaugural class in August 2014.