Wis. lawmaker wants to strengthen state GI Bill p1 - Military - College News and Information - Military Times EDGE

A Wisconsin lawmaker is pushing a plan to strengthen higher education benefits for veterans in his state. Currently, Wisconsin vets must exhaust their federal G.I. Bill benefit before tapping the Wisconsin G.I. Bill to pay tuition. Credits paid for by the federal program count against their state benefits, which are limited to 128 credits. State Rep. Steve Hilgenberg’s plan would give veterans up to 64 credits of free tuition through the Wisconsin G.I. Bill after they use their federal benefits.

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau says the plan could cost an estimated $14.6 million over six years. Its analysis says it would eventually allow an additional 447 veterans to attend technical colleges and universities tuition-free every year.