House panel approves bill giving veterans in-state tuition

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A House education committee has given unanimous approval to a measure allowing military veterans to get in-state tuition at South Carolina state colleges and universities as soon as they become residents.

The approval Wednesday by members of the panel moves the bill to the full House for its consideration. The Senate approved the same measure in March.

The bill waives the one-year residency requirement for veterans who are honorably discharged.

The panel acted after Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken, told lawmakers that all veterans attending schools in the state who are on the Post 9/11 GI Bill would lose their benefits after July 1 unless such a measure was approved. It brings the state in line with a federal law approved last year.