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HB 2074

Creates the "Missouri Disabled Veterans' Dependents Tuition Waiver" to provide college tuition waivers for the children, stepchildren, and spouses of certain veterans

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Phil Amato and 3 co-sponsors

The bill creates a tuition waiver for eligible dependents of disabled Missouri veterans, including children, stepchildren, and spouses, to pursue college-level education.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 2074

Overview

HB 2074 (Missouri, 2026) creates the Missouri Disabled Veterans' Dependents Tuition Waiver. The bill authorizes a tuition waiver for certain dependents of veterans with disabilities, covering eligible children, stepchildren, and spouses to pursue college-level education.

Purpose and Intent

  • Provide financial assistance to the dependents of certain disabled veterans by waiving all or a portion of their college tuition.
  • Improve access to higher education for dependents who may face additional financial barriers due to a veteran’s disability.
  • Align with broader veteran-related education benefits by expanding eligibility to include spouses and non-biological dependent relationships (i.e., stepchildren).

Key Provisions

  • Eligibility
    • Dependents of veterans with a service-connected disability, as determined by the appropriate military or state authority.
    • Includes children and stepchildren of the veteran, and spouses.
    • Eligibility criteria may require demonstration of enrollment in an eligible Missouri public or private higher education institution, or possibly any Missouri institution offering eligible programs.
  • Scope of Waiver
    • Tuition waivers applicable to undergraduate and/or graduate programs as defined by the bill.
    • The extent (full vs. partial waiver) and applicability (state-supported institutions, community colleges, or private institutions) would be specified in the bill’s text.
  • Duration and Use
    • Waiver may apply for a specified number of academic years or credit hours, subject to renewal or recertification requirements.
    • May include limits tied to the dependent’s enrollment status (full-time or part-time) and maintenance of satisfactory academic progress.
  • Funding and Administration
    • The program would be administered by the Missouri higher education authority or the relevant state agency.
    • Possible allocation of state funds or reallocation of existing veteran education resources to support the waiver program.
  • Compliance and Reporting
    • Institutions would report eligible recipients and usage to the administering agency.
    • Provisions for auditability and annual reporting on program utilization and financial impact.

Affected Parties

  • Eligible dependents: children, stepchildren, and spouses of veterans with disabilities meeting the bill’s criteria.
  • Veterans with disabilities, whose families may benefit from expanded educational support.
  • Higher education institutions in Missouri (public and potentially private, depending on the bill’s text) that would administer the tuition waiver for eligible students.
  • State agencies responsible for veterans’ affairs and higher education policy.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Prefiled: December 1, 2025.
  • First Reading: January 7, 2026 (House).
  • Second Reading: January 8, 2026 (House).
  • Referred to Emerging Issues (House) on May 15, 2026.
  • The bill’s future progression would depend on committee action, potential amendments, and floor votes in the House and Senate, along with any executive actions.

Notes for Readers

  • The summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose to provide tuition waivers to a broader set of dependents of disabled veterans, including spouses and stepchildren.
  • Specific dollar amounts, the exact waiver percentage or duration, and the precise eligibility criteria (e.g., degree level, enrollment status, and institutional applicability) would be detailed in the bill’s text.
  • As introduced or amended, the bill could include conditions such as maintaining qualifying academic progress, lifetime or annual caps, and coordination with other state financial aid programs.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on particular sections (e.g., eligibility criteria or funding mechanisms) once the bill’s full text is available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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