LANSING – State Representative Gino H. Polidori (D-Dearborn) today unveiled a bipartisan plan that would allow the children of military servicemembers who get transferred to others states and countries to pay in-state tuition at Michigan's public universities. He also proposed a plan that would allow servicemembers to get out of auto leases if called to active duty.
"Our military families sacrifice a lot when their loved ones are called up to fight for our nation; the least we can do is ensure that our servicemembers' children have the opportunity to get an affordable college education right here in Michigan," Polidori said. "In this day and age, a college degree is a necessity. By allowing the children of our brave men and women who serve our country to pay in-state tuition, we are bringing the dream of attending college one step closer to reality without breaking the family bank."
Polidori's plan, part of a bipartisan package, will require universities to allow children of military families to pay in-state tuition rates. Currently, Michigan universities set their own policies on whether military children must pay in-state or out-of-state tuition rates, which results in some students who have lived in Michigan for years having to pay higher tuition rates when their families are transferred to other states or countries.
"Many of our schools already have a policy in place that allows the children of servicemen and women to pay in-state tuition, and I applaud them for that," Polidori said. "Ensuring that all public universities in Michigan offer students the same opportunities is the right thing to do for our students."
Polidori today also proposed a plan that would allow servicemembers to get out of auto leases if called to active duty.
"The financial hardships that many military families face when a husband or wife is called to active duty can be crippling," Polidori said. "Allowing a member of the military to break an auto lease while he or she is fighting for our country is one way to ease the financial stress."