This bill ensures that veterans using the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve benefits receive in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities.
Derrick Van Orden
Representative
WI-3
The "Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2025" ensures that veterans eligible for the Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program (chapter 1606 of title 10) receive in-state tuition rates at public institutions of higher learning. This act amends existing law to prevent the Department of Veterans Affairs from approving courses at institutions that do not offer in-state tuition to these eligible veterans. These protections will apply to academic periods starting on or after August 1, 2026.
Selected Reservists Gain In-State Tuition Access at Public Colleges Under New Bill, Effective 2026
This bill, officially the "Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2025," tackles a specific issue for military members using education benefits. It amends existing law (specifically, 38 U.S. Code § 3679) to require public colleges and universities to charge in-state tuition rates to veterans eligible for the Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program, also known as Chapter 1606 benefits. The core goal is to ensure fairness in tuition costs for this group of servicemembers.
Equal Tuition Access for Reservists
Currently, whether a Reservist using Chapter 1606 benefits gets charged in-state tuition can vary. This legislation aims to standardize this by extending the same in-state tuition protection already provided to other veteran groups under different GI Bill programs. By amending Section 3679, the bill explicitly adds individuals entitled to assistance under Chapter 1606 (found in Title 10, Section 16131 of the U.S. Code) to the list of those who must be offered the lower resident tuition rate by public institutions.
The Real-World Savings (Starting 2026)
What does this mean practically? If you're a member of the Selected Reserve planning to use your Chapter 1606 benefits at a public university outside your home state, this bill could save you significant money—potentially thousands of dollars per year, depending on the school's out-of-state tuition premium. It removes a financial barrier, making higher education more accessible and affordable for Reservists pursuing degrees or certifications, regardless of where the public institution is located.
Implementation Timeline: August 2026
It's important to note the timing laid out in the bill. These changes aren't immediate. The requirement for public institutions to offer in-state tuition to Chapter 1606 recipients will apply to academic terms starting on or after August 1, 2026. This timeline gives universities and relevant government departments, like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) which oversees these programs, time to update their policies and systems to comply with the new rule.