Resolution 13-27: A Resolution to Lower Tuition for
Armed Forces Members Who Are Using the Armed
Forces Tuition Assistance Program
WHEREAS, The current amount of tuition per credit hour is $386 for all Undergraduate
students.
WHEREAS, In order for Wright State University to be competitive with the
surrounding Colleges in the area, tuition per academic credit hour should
be lowered for Armed Forces Active Duty Servicemembers to $250.
WHEREAS, Armed Forces Active Duty Servicemembers who use the Armed Forces
Tuition Assistance Program only receive $250 per semester credit hour,
and up to $4,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). This
in turn will allow the servicemembers to take approximately three courses
per semester at three credits each. The difference is only $136 per
semester credit hour, which is currently billed to the Armed Forces Active
Duty Servicemember.
(1) Tuition Assistance Differs from the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) Education Benefits.
(a) While the Tuition Assistance (TA) program is offered by each
individual service branch, the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) administers a variety of education benefit programs. Some
of the VA programs, such as the Post-9/11 Veterans Education
Assistance Act of 2008 (also known as Post-9/11 GI Bill), can
work well with the TA program, as it can supplement the
additional cost not covered by TA. Also, the Post-9/11 GI Bill
funds are available for up to 15 years after you leave the military.
TA is a benefit that is available only while the servicemember is
serving on Active Duty.
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WHEREAS, If Wright State University were to waive the difference of $136 per
semester credit hour and allow for the tuition of Active Duty
Servicemembers using the Armed Forces Tuition Assistance Program to
be $250 per semester credit hour; Wright State University would have an
increase in the number of Active Duty Servicemembers registering and
returning to Wright State University each semester and year.
Additionally, by lowering the cost, servicemembers would not have to
utilize their Veteran Affairs Education Benefits to supplement the
additional cost of tuition, which would allow servicemembers to be able to
continue their education at Wright State University for Graduate School
by utilizing their Veteran Affairs Education Benefits.
WHEREAS, It is understood of the concern that servicemembers transfer after so many
years from duty station to duty station. However, if we ensure
servicemebers enroll in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)
with their respective service branches with Wright State University as
their Home University. The administration would then be ensured that the
servicemember will be taking courses at the Wright State University
Campus for no less than twenty-five percent of that servicemembers
degree requirement. Wright State University would also be ensured that
they would then be the conferring university of the servicemembers
bachelors degree, no matter where the servicemember is transferred too.
(1) Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)
(a) SOC was created in 1972 to provide educational opportunities to
servicemembers who, frequently move from place to place and
had trouble completing their college degrees. SOC functions in
cooperation with Fifteen Higher Education Associations, the
Department of Defense (DoD), and Active and Reserve
Components of the Military Services to expand and improve
voluntary postsecondary education opportunities for
servicemembers worldwide. SOC is funded by the DoD through
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a contract with the American Association of State Colleges and
Universities.
WHEREAS, At this time Wright State University is losing out on the recruitment and
continuation of Armed Forces Active Duty Servicemembers. These
servicemembers are forced to further their education at places like DeVry,
Clark State, and Sinclair who offer the lower tuition cost and offer very
few bachelor degrees in fields servicemembers are interested in.
RESOLVED, By the Student Government of Wright State University here
assembled, that:
1. We encourage the University to allow the tuition to be reduced for Active Duty
Servicemembers using the Armed Forces Tuition Assistance Program that are seeking
their Undergraduate degree to $250 per semester credit hour.
2. This would make Wright State University more appealing for Armed Forces
Active Duty Servicemembers in the area who would rather come to Wright State
University but have to settle for the other colleges in the area.
3. Additionally, it would also open the door to other Active Duty
Servicemembers who are using the SOC program to come to Wright State University,
which offers courses in their specialized degree program, while they are stationed in the
local area.
4. This Resolution does not cover a reduced rate of tuition for Graduate students
only those who qualify for Armed Forces Tuition Assistance seeking their Undergraduate
Degree.
Introduced by Anthony Hinojosa and Kyle Powell
Passed 9/17/2013
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