Halpin Works to Reduce College Costs for Veterans

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Veterans would have more affordable access to higher education under a bill backed by state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, which allows out-of-state veterans attending public universities in Illinois to attend at the cost of an Illinois resident.

“Veterans need access to affordable education if they are going to transition into well-paying civilian jobs,” said Halpin. “Supporting our troops means doing everything we can to lend a hand to people who gave years of their lives keeping us safe.”

Halpin is sponsoring Senate Bill 1907 which changes the policies of Illinois’ nine public universities and numerous public community colleges to treat out-of-state military members attending Illinois schools as if they lived in state. This will significantly decrease higher education costs for out-of-state veterans going to public universities in Illinois.

“I have spent a large part of my career as a legislator fighting for veterans’ mental health,” Halpin said. “This bill is a part of that work. When people have access to higher education they end up with better jobs and the ability to support themselves, and that has an incredible positive impact on mental health. We can’t deny veterans that opportunity simply because they can’t afford it.”