The University of Tennessee (UT) announced on Thursday a new proposed initiative that would allow military-affiliated students–veterans, active-duty military personnel, reservists, Tennessee National Guard members, and Army and Air Force ROTC cadets to attend a UT institution of their choosing at the in-state tuition rate, according to a press release.
UT System President Randy Boyd proposed the initiative.
The press release states that at its October meeting, the UT Board of Trustees showed support for Boyd’s proposal and the request for legislative approval to make these changes possible across the UT System.
If the proposal is approved, the discount would begin starting in the 2022 fall semester.
Boyd released a social media video announcing the proposed initiative with the message, “This #VeteransDay, the UT System is working to make our campuses more welcoming for our servicemen and women. We’re proposing a new initiative that, if approved, will offer in-state tuition rates to all military-affiliated students who want to attend a UT campus.”
Boyd also released a statement about the proposal, saying, “In order to make this the greatest decade in UT history, we must continually seek ways to honor our land-grant mission by making our universities more accessible to those who wish to achieve their dream of earning a college degree. We owe a great debt of gratitude to our military men and women. Lessening the financial burden of attending one of our universities is one small way we can say ‘thank you’ for your service.”
The press release notes that the UT System averages approximately 1,745 veterans, service members and dependents who are students on each of its campuses and institutes across the state. Currently, the cost of attendance for undergraduate students who live in-state is $13,244 for 2021-2022, in contrast to $31,664 out-of-state tuition.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “President Randy Boyd Proposes New Initiative” by University of Tennessee System.
