Topeka-Today Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed into law HB 2154, which includes authorization for all veterans eligible for federal education benefits, along with all current members of the armed forces, to be eligible for in-state tuition rates at all 32 public postsecondary colleges and universities in Kansas, effective July 1, 2015, regardless of time spent in the state.

In a media release, the State Board of Regents Chair Kenny Wilk said, “The board appreciates the efforts being made nationally and now here in Kansas to better serve our nation’s veterans and all current members of the armed forces. I am confident all our public postsecondary institutions will continue to do their best to serve these students and their families.”

Federal legislation passed last year, known as the “Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014,” requires all public colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition rates to veterans making use of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, who live in the state where the institution they intend to enroll at is located, and who file a letter of intent to establish residence in that state. Eligible veterans’ spouses and dependent children also qualify for in-state tuition rates.

In addition to extending this benefit to veterans, Kansas has declared all current members of the armed forces to be residents of the state for tuition and fee purposes (including army, navy, marine corps, air force, coast guard, Kansas army or air national guard, or any branch of the military reserves of the United States), along with current members’ spouses and dependent children, who are enrolled or have been accepted for admission at a Kansas postsecondary educational institution.