Halpin Bill Reducing College Costs for Veterans Now Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, is helping cut college costs for veterans with his new law allowing all veterans to attend a public college and universities in Illinois at the cost of an Illinois resident.

“Our veterans deserve affordable higher education opportunities so they can transition into good-paying jobs following their service time,” Halpin said. “People who have risked everything to keep our country safe deserve more than just our gratitude, they deserve our help building a better life and supporting a family after their time in the military has ended.”

Halpin helped pass Senate Bill 1907, which changes the policies of Illinois’ nine public universities and numerous public community colleges to ensure all veterans attending Illinois schools can receive in-state tuition, even if their service prevents them from proving residency. This will significantly decrease higher education costs for veterans going to public universities in Illinois, and encourage veterans to begin their civilian lives in Illinois.

“Providing good-paying jobs for service members returning home is incredibly important, and this bill helps our returning heroes begin building their civilian lives in our community,” Halpin said. “Higher education leads to more employment opportunities and an easier transition back into civilian life. No veteran should have to rejoin society without support from the people they worked so hard to protect.”