Bill Overview
Title: Higher Education Access for Military Dependents Act
Description: This bill allows members of qualifying federal service (i.e., members of the Armed Forces and members of the Foreign Service) and their spouses and dependent children to receive in-state tuition at public institutions of higher education under additional circumstances.
Sponsors: Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]
Target Audience
Population: Spouses and dependent children of members of the Armed Forces and Foreign Service
Estimated Size: 1350000
- The bill specifically mentions 'members of qualifying federal service,' which includes members of the Armed Forces and members of the Foreign Service.
- The bill aims to provide in-state tuition benefits to spouses and dependent children of the qualifying service members.
- The target population, therefore, includes the family members of those in qualifying federal service.
- According to recent statistics, the U.S. military comprises active-duty personnel, with over a million family members, including spouses and dependents, who may benefit from such legislation.
- The Foreign Service also includes active officers and their families, but this is a much smaller group compared to military families.
Reasoning
- The policy targets dependents of military and foreign service members, estimating around 1,350,000 potential beneficiaries in the U.S.
- Budget constraints require careful selection of interviews from individuals likely to benefit, as well as those not impacted, to gauge the policy's reach and potential cost efficiency.
- Simulated interviews should include individuals from various demographics and geographic locations to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the policy's impact.
- The balance of opinions from beneficiaries and those without direct benefit will provide insights into overall sentiment and indirect effects.
- Given the large service member family population, individuals living in states with higher education costs may be more significantly impacted.
Simulated Interviews
Foreign Service Officer (Virginia)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy will provide my kids with greater opportunities for education.
- In-state tuition will make college much more affordable for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
U.S. Navy Officer (California)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will ease the financial pressure of my child's upcoming college expenses.
- It's a relief to know my service is being recognized in a meaningful way.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
High School Teacher (Texas)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'd feel more comfortable starting a family knowing future tuition costs are lower.
- This benefit makes military life more sustainable long-term.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Research Scientist (New York)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I appreciate the support for military families, it doesn't impact me directly.
- Our family is content with our current educational plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Medical Doctor (Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's a good policy for those it helps, but it doesn't affect us at all.
- I'm happy with our current tuition arrangements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
College Student (Illinois)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This doesn't apply to me directly, but I support policies that help students reduce debt.
- Any reduction in tuition costs for someone is a win in my book.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Military Personnel (North Carolina)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing this policy is in place would ease my concerns about future children's education.
- It's good to see military families receiving more support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Foreign Service Contractor (Colorado)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This won't impact us directly but seems like a positive step forward for service families.
- Education continuity is critical for many service families we know.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Part-time Worker (Georgia)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might mean I can get a degree with less financial stress.
- Anything that helps us stay out of debt is welcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Air Force (Washington)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I salute the initiative, it shows appreciation for military families.
- Our family already planned around education costs, so no direct impact now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 2: $1020000000 (Low: $820000000, High: $1220000000)
Year 3: $1040000000 (Low: $840000000, High: $1240000000)
Year 5: $1080000000 (Low: $880000000, High: $1280000000)
Year 10: $1200000000 (Low: $980000000, High: $1380000000)
Year 100: $1400000000 (Low: $1100000000, High: $1600000000)
Key Considerations
- Level of utilization of the in-state tuition benefit by the eligible population.
- Differences in tuition costs among various states and institutions which may affect cost estimates.
- Potential caps on cost coverage or reimbursement policies could influence overall costs.
- The capacity of public institutions to support an influx of new students could strain resources in some states.