thedrifter
06-13-08, 08:10 AM
New law allows military dependents to hold onto in-state tuition at state colleges
Published Fri, Jun 13, 2008 12:00 AM
By PATRICK DONOHUE
pdonohue@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5531
Military dependents attending a state college will maintain their in-state tuition break even if the service member is transferred out of the Palmetto State, under a law signed by the governor Wednesday.
With the cost of higher education on the rise, the law is designed to protect those who protect the nation, said Joel Sawyer, spokesman for Gov. Mark Sanford.
"Higher education is getting more and more expensive, and this is just a small thank you to the people who literally put their lives on the line for our country," he said.
The bill's signing Wednesday puts South Carolina among 35 other states with similar legislation, Sawyer said.
Under the new law, South Carolina's military families stand to save thousands of dollars on tuition for students attending the state's two largest public universities.
In-state tuition at the University of South Carolina is about $8,346 a year, compared with $21,362 a year for non-residents, according to the university's Web site.
At Clemson University, residents pay $10,370 a year in tuition, and out-of-state students pay $22,300 a year
The move by the state to maintain in-state tuition rates for military families is appreciated by those stationed in Beaufort with college-aged children, said retired Master Sgt. David Ellard, senior education officer at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.
With the average assignment for Marines lasting one to three years, Ellard said the law helps ensure that the children and spouses of South Carolina's Marines will be able to affordably complete their college education.
"The fact that the families and children of our Marines will be able to stay in South Carolina and continue their college education without being penalized, what else can you say? It's a great thing," he said. "It's definitely a big savings."
The bill's passage was a major priority for the governor's Military Base Task Force, which was formed by Sanford to fight off challenges from the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission's 2005 recommendations. The task force comprises government and military officials from the four S.C. communities with bases: Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia and Sumter.
Col. John Payne, chairman of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee, is a member of the task force and said the new law makes Beaufort's military installations more attractive to incoming Marines.
"It brings us up to par with other areas of the country," he said. "It's another enhancement for people to accept orders to one of our three installations. It's just the right thing to do."
Ellie
Published Fri, Jun 13, 2008 12:00 AM
By PATRICK DONOHUE
pdonohue@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5531
Military dependents attending a state college will maintain their in-state tuition break even if the service member is transferred out of the Palmetto State, under a law signed by the governor Wednesday.
With the cost of higher education on the rise, the law is designed to protect those who protect the nation, said Joel Sawyer, spokesman for Gov. Mark Sanford.
"Higher education is getting more and more expensive, and this is just a small thank you to the people who literally put their lives on the line for our country," he said.
The bill's signing Wednesday puts South Carolina among 35 other states with similar legislation, Sawyer said.
Under the new law, South Carolina's military families stand to save thousands of dollars on tuition for students attending the state's two largest public universities.
In-state tuition at the University of South Carolina is about $8,346 a year, compared with $21,362 a year for non-residents, according to the university's Web site.
At Clemson University, residents pay $10,370 a year in tuition, and out-of-state students pay $22,300 a year
The move by the state to maintain in-state tuition rates for military families is appreciated by those stationed in Beaufort with college-aged children, said retired Master Sgt. David Ellard, senior education officer at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.
With the average assignment for Marines lasting one to three years, Ellard said the law helps ensure that the children and spouses of South Carolina's Marines will be able to affordably complete their college education.
"The fact that the families and children of our Marines will be able to stay in South Carolina and continue their college education without being penalized, what else can you say? It's a great thing," he said. "It's definitely a big savings."
The bill's passage was a major priority for the governor's Military Base Task Force, which was formed by Sanford to fight off challenges from the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission's 2005 recommendations. The task force comprises government and military officials from the four S.C. communities with bases: Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia and Sumter.
Col. John Payne, chairman of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee, is a member of the task force and said the new law makes Beaufort's military installations more attractive to incoming Marines.
"It brings us up to par with other areas of the country," he said. "It's another enhancement for people to accept orders to one of our three installations. It's just the right thing to do."
Ellie