Raleigh, N.C. – The state House of Representatives approved  legislation on Tuesday to increase the amount of scholarship funds available to children of wartime veterans attending a higher education institution in  North Carolina.

Senate Bill 650 Scholarships for Children of Wartime Veterans provides $2.4 million in additional, annually recurring funds for room and tuition expenses to students receiving a North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans.  The scholarship program currently receives $9.1 million per year.

The  program also received the additional one-time appropriation of $2.4 million in 2018 from the General Assembly, helping the scholarships cover more higher education costs for those students than they previously provided.

North Carolina House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) presented the legislation on Tuesday.‍

“Over 20,000 Scholarships for Children of Wartime Veterans have been awarded to  these well-deserving students in North Carolina,” House Majority Leader  Bell said Tuesday.  “This legislation will provide additional  recurring funds for this vital program through the 2019-2021 budget cycle.”