RICHMOND, Va. – The Commonwealth of Virginia’s Joint Budget Conference Committee unveiled a two-year $135 billion budget report Feb. 25, 2021, that does not include a proposed $3.2 million increase to the Virginia National Guard’s Tuition Assistance Program.
The current Tuition Assistance Program is funded at $3 million and allows for Soldiers and Airmen to receive partial tuition assistance. The programmed amount for tuition assistance has not changed in over 10 years, despite increasing education costs and increased interest in pursuing higher education among Guard Soldiers and Airmen. During the 2020 General Assembly, Governor Ralph S. Northam (D) put forward and the General Assembly had approved a $250,000 per year increase to the program. However, these increases were later cut during the 2020 Special Session of the General Assembly due to the economic effects of the pandemic.
The 2021 increase, proposed by Northam during his State of the Commonwealth Address Jan. 13, 2021, and introduced by Senator David Marsden (D-37) would have increased the program’s budget to $6,272,500. The increase would allow for Soldiers and Airmen to receive full tuition assistance, up to the median cost of tuition in Virginia.
“This is obviously disappointing,” said Maj. Andrew J. Czaplicki, VNGA president. “We’re grateful to Governor Northam and members of the General Assembly who championed this effort, but ultimately the budget conferees chose their priorities, and we just didn’t make the cut.”
The proposed increase to the tuition assistance program had expected to be included in the final proposed budget. When it was not included in Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee’s budget report, it became an item of interest for the Governor in his letter to the Joint Budget Conference Committee sent Feb. 19, 2021.
“[In a similar way,] we can expand educational opportunities for more students by increasing higher education grants for veterans and members of the National Guard,” wrote Northam. “This is an important way to honor their service, especially as tensions rise around the world.”
Surprisingly, a budget amendment was approved by the Joint Conference Committee which earmarks $5 million in Fiscal Year 22 to Fairfax County for “the construction of the Warrior Field & Plaza and Memorial Garden, and other projects within the National Museum of the United States Army.”
According to the Army Historical Foundation webpage, the “Warrior Field and Plaza” is parade ground in front of the museum and is surrounded by trees. The trees were used as a $1,500 donor recognition tool.
The public and privately-funded museum cost nearly $200 million to construct and opened during a formal ceremony on Nov. 11, 2020.
The museum’s $5 million budget amendment was introduced by Delegate Mark D. Sickles (D-43), who represents Fairfax County, and serves as the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
The Joint Budget Conference Committee Report on both the House Bill 1800 and Senate Bill 1100 is expected to pass both chambers this weekend. The General Assembly is expected to adopt the committee’s recommendations and pass the budget, at which time it will go to the Governor for signature, veto or amendment.
Reporters, Editors & Producers: Leaders are available for interviews or to appear as subject matter experts on issues related to the Virginia National Guard Association. Email contact@vnga.us to schedule an interview or appearance.
About VNGA: Established in 1960, the Virginia National Guard Association is a recognized non-profit 501(c)(19) veterans’ service association representing over 10,000 Service Members of all ranks and status; enlisted, warrant and officer; traditional, active duty and retired.
Tuition Assistance Failure