FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):

0589

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


Senate Bills 536 and 546 if enacted would provide in-state tuition to honorably discharged and injured veterans regardless of state residency. The governing boards at state institutions of higher learning would be required to grant residency status to any veteran upon receipt of necessary documentation that the veteran served one or more years on active military duty and was honorably discharged or received a discharge related to a medical issue resulting from his or her military status. Any veterans eligible for educational benefits under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill would be permitted to pay resident tuition and fee rates beyond the G.I. Bill’s four-year eligibility period immediately upon becoming West Virginia residents. It is assumed that it is the intention of the bills that “becoming a West Virginia resident” will have occurred upon the granting of residency status during the G.I. Bill benefit eligibility process. It is estimated that the annual costs associated with the foregone out of state tuition revenues would be approximately $1 million.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2014
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2015
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 1,000,000 1,000,000
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


It is anticipated that all most all of the veteran’s eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill would finish their undergraduate education within its four-year limit. It is estimated that of the approximately 2,000 students enrolled at four-year institutions and receiving benefits under that bill, approximately 100 would continue their education and enter a graduate program. The weighted average estimate of the difference between resident and nonresident graduate fees is approximately $10,131. This estimate does not include veterans who enroll in the medical schools. The average tuition differential for these students is $28,000. Graduate enrollments could increase from the reduction in price for veterans. Depending upon capacity utilization, the net incremental revenues associated with students who would not otherwise enroll in the graduate programs could offset some of the estimated lost revenue.



Memorandum






    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Ed Magee
    Email Address: emagee@hepc.wvnet.edu