Senator Brian A. Joyce voted today to pass an amendment to the FY 2011 budget that he co-sponsored that expands full cost waivers to state colleges and universities to children of fallen soldiers. The amendment passed unanimously.

“We voted to honor our fallen servicemen and women by providing the opportunity for higher education for their surviving children,” said Senator Joyce. “This is just one way in which we can say thank you for the ultimate service to our state and to our nation.”

The waiver would be available to a surviving child of a parent who died as a result of injuries sustained during active and full-time military service outside the United States while deployed in support of or in an armed conflict or hostility as a member of the armed forces of the United States or National Guard, occurring after 1989.

If the child meets the admission criteria to the college or university, the amendment provides a full waiver of charges for tuition, fees and room and board.

Once the Senate completes debate on the budget, members of the Senate and House will work on a final compromise version of the FY 2011 budget. The 2011 fiscal year begins on July 1.

On Thursday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., the Senate will suspend debate on the budget for a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony to honor our service members who have put their lives on the line defending our Commonwealth and nation.