Mo. Senate endorses tuition break for military vets

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Senators vote to give military veterans a tuition break at Missouri's public colleges and universities.

The bill endorsed Wednesday would cap tuition at $50 per credit hour for veterans who served in armed combat after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Senate Minority Leader Maida (MAY'-dah) Coleman says many military veterans struggle to pay for college even after getting financial aid from the federal and state governments. The St. Louis Democrat says her bill would make education affordable for military heroes.

But the University of Missouri estimates the tuition reductions could cost the four-campus system about $2.4 million.

The Senate gave the bill first-round approval on a voice vote. It needs a second vote to go to the House.