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New policy means full tuition will be covered for vets under GI Bill

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree praised a decision by the University of Maine System to honor the in-state tuition rate for all veterans, regardless of where they live.

This means that beginning this summer, eligible veterans will have their entire tuition paid for by the Post 9/11 GI Bill when they enroll at one of the University's campuses. The GI Bill pays tuition for veterans attending public universities and colleges, but only at the in-state rate.

"This was a good decision and I want to publicly thank the University of Maine for taking this step," Pingree said. "The GI bill is intended to give the men and women who have served this country a hand in getting the education theyneed to move on to the next step in life, and the University of Maine is doing their part to make that happen."

In Congress, Pingree has been a strong supporter of the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act, a bill that would require all colleges and universities that accept GI Bill money to offer all veterans in-state tuition. With Pingree's support the bill passed the US House earlier this year but hasn't been taken up yet in the Senate.