Virginia Lawmakers Restore Military Family Tuition Program

Virginia lawmakers unanimously passed legislation to fully restore the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, providing free public school tuition to families of war veterans. The program's costs rose from $12 million to $65 million, leading to restrictions in the state budget, which faced strong opposition from veterans and families. Lawmakers allocated $45 million per year over the next two years to support colleges and universities with program costs, aiming for a long-term solution to control expenses and preserve the program's benefits. Various groups, including task forces appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the Senate, are working on strategies to manage the program's financial impact and ensure its sustainability for military families in the future.