Reps. Crow, Miller-Meeks Introduce Bipartisan Bill Addressing Higher Ed Affordability for American Service Families

WASHINGTON - Representative Jason Crow (CO-06), Army veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), Army veteran and member of the Veterans Affairs and Education and Labor Committee, introduced their bipartisan bill to improve higher education affordability for students with enlisted family members. The Higher Education Access for Military Dependents Act extends eligibility for in-state tuition at public institutions for military dependents in the first year that their servicemember parent's duty station changes states.

On average, military children move three times more than their civilian peers. For these dependents, a change in duty station during their senior year of high school can be disruptive with frequent moves impacting the academic and social support systems all students need for success.

“As a veteran, I know when one person serves, the whole family serves. When military parents get restationed, their kids’ education is also disrupted,” said Congressman Crow. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort with Representative Miller-Meeks to provide more flexibility so students in military families have affordable access to higher education.”

“As both a 24-year Army veteran and daughter of a military family, I understand the difficulties that come with moving one’s family from base to base,” said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. “However, these moves shouldn’t affect a child’s access to post-secondary education. It’s our duty to support our servicemembers and their families. Our bill will alleviate some of the stress that comes with applying for colleges and universities and ensure children of military families are afforded the best opportunities.”

"Colorado has long been a leader in assuring military members and their dependents have access to affordable higher education," said Todd Saliman, President of the University of Colorado System. "We appreciate Representatives Crow and Miller-Meeks' leadership to ensure that military families across the country have similar access to public higher education as the Centennial State."

Relocation is a stressor in the lives of the average military family with moves occurring every two to three years. For those families of high-ranking officers, moves can happen more frequently. The stress caused by relocation and transition can have an enduring effect on relationships and academic achievement.

As of 2020, military families included over 1.6 million military children. This legislation would provide additional support to the over 24 percent of military children who are between the ages of 12 and 18, and the over 189,000 children of Active Duty and Selected Reserve members between the ages of 15 and 18.

This legislation builds on Crow’s longstanding efforts to protect servicemembers, veterans and their families in Colorado and across the country.

See the full text of the bill HERE.

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