Priority college admission for service members passed

Certain uniformed service members will receive priority college admission under a bill passed by lawmakers May 19.

LB669, introduced by Omaha Sen. Tony Vargas, requires Nebraska’s public postsecondary institutions to accept military and veteran students who apply to enroll as undergraduates if they otherwise meet admissions requirements.

A student who graduates from a Nebraska high school on or after Jan. 1, 2022, signs enlistment papers to serve in a uniformed service and meets other requirements related to the length of their service is eligible.

Nebraska high school graduates and individuals who graduate from high school in another state on or after Jan. 1, 2002, and serve in a uniformed service while assigned to a location in Nebraska also qualify if they receive an honorable discharge.

LB669 passed on a vote of 38-0 and takes effect immediately.