New Milford Veteran Advocates for College Reimbursement Option for Children
Key Takeaways
- Veterans would gain option to transfer unused college tuition waivers to children under H.B. 5417.
- New Milford veteran Warren Hengel and Rep. Bill Buckbee testified in support.
- Committee will consider testimony; bill must be acted on by March 17, 2026.
HARTFORD – A bill before the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee could provide additional college resources for children of the men and women who served in the military. The proposal would allow veterans to transfer unused college tuition reimbursement benefits to a direct family member.
New Milford resident Warren Hengel joined State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R–New Milford) to testify in support of the concept — H.B. 5417, An Act Allowing Children of Veterans to Use Such Veteran's Unused Tuition Waivers and Requiring State Funding for Tuition Waivers — during a recent public hearing.
“How many of you with children who want them to attend college will have $125,000 or more set aside for each child’s education?” said Hengel, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from New Milford. “If you want to keep Connecticut affordable and appreciate the men and women who have served our great nation, then approve Bill H.B. 5417.”
After providing remarks, Hengel and Buckbee took questions from committee members, which focused largely on the practical application of the policy. For instance, in families with more than one child, lawmakers asked how the benefit would be distributed. Hengel suggested a one-for-one approach, noting that if both parents served in the military, their benefits could potentially be combined.
Committee members also raised concerns that the proposal could increase budgetary needs or shift additional costs to colleges and universities. However, lawmakers expressed a willingness to work through those issues in order to move the concept forward. Chairman Gregg Haddad (D–Mansfield) said he could not think of a more deserving segment of the population to receive these benefits.
“Education vouchers acknowledge not only the veteran’s service, but the family’s sacrifice as well,” Buckbee said. “Transitioning from military to civilian life can be financially and emotionally challenging. Education vouchers help ease that transition by providing children with consistent access to quality education. A nation that asks individuals to defend it has a moral obligation to support their families. Providing education vouchers reflects gratitude in a tangible, future-focused way.”
The committee will now take public hearing testimony into consideration. Under legislative deadlines, the bill must be acted on by March 17, 2026. If it receives favorable action, it will move forward in the legislative process.
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