Thanks to bills with ties to legislators that represent Door and Kewaunee counties, you could have an easier time affording college if you served in the nation’s Armed Forces.

Last week, the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities approved bills either co-written or co-sponsored by State Senator Andre Jacque or Rep. Joel Kitchens aimed at keeping veterans and current members of the U.S. Armed Forces in Wisconsin.

In Jacque’s cosponsored bill known as AB 91, application fees would be waived at the state’s public higher education institutions, which range from $25 to $70 depending on the school.  Jacque says it is a sign of gratitude and expects it to bolster the recruitment of veterans to the state’s colleges and universities.

The Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities also approved AB 12, a bill co-written by Kitchens that would lower the five-year residency requirement to three years for veterans to take advantage of Wisconsin’s GI Bill while allowing veterans, spouses, and children for full remission benefits for 128 credits or eight semesters. It also eliminates the provision that a student must be a Wisconsin resident at the time they enter the military to qualify for non-resident tuition exemptions. Our veterans bravely served this nation and brought leadership and value to our communities and employers,” said Kitchens. “This bill gives veterans more security to complete their education here and find a job in Wisconsin after they graduate.”

Both bills are pending approval from both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature and the signature of Governor Tony Evers.