HF 1982

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/10/2012 11:56am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; establishing an educational program for veterans
and their spouses and certain dependents; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 135A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [135A.53] DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section and section 135A.54, the
following words have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Course. new text end

new text begin "Course" means any course of study offered by a state-supported
institution of higher education in the regular curriculum of a department, school, or
subdivision of the institution.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligible dependent. new text end

new text begin "Eligible dependent" means an individual under the
age of 26 who is the legal child or stepchild of a qualified disabled veteran.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligible person. new text end

new text begin "Eligible person" includes a veteran, a veteran's spouse,
eligible dependents, and qualified survivors.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Legal resident. new text end

new text begin "Legal resident" means a person who fulfills the residency
criteria applicable to students of a state-supported institution of higher education.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Institution of higher education. new text end

new text begin "Institution of higher education" means a
state university, public two-year college, or the University of Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Qualified disabled veteran. new text end

new text begin "Qualified disabled veteran" means a veteran
who has a service connected disability rated at 50 percent or more, as determined by the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Qualified survivor. new text end

new text begin "Qualified survivor" means the surviving spouse or
child of a veteran who died as a result of military service, as certified by the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Veteran. new text end

new text begin "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [135A.54] VETERAN EDUCATION PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Fees and tuition. new text end

new text begin (a) Except for an administration fee established
by the governing board at a level to recover costs, to be collected only when a course is
taken for credit, an eligible person who is a legal resident of Minnesota is entitled without
payment of tuition or activity fees to attend courses offered for credit, audit any courses
offered for credit, or enroll in any noncredit courses in any state-supported institution of
higher education in Minnesota when space is available after all tuition-paying students
have been accommodated. An eligible person enrolled under this section must pay any
materials, personal property, or service charges for the course. In addition, an eligible
person who is enrolled in a course for credit must pay an administrative fee in an amount
established by the governing board of the institution to recover costs. An eligible person
shall not be charged an administrative fee for auditing a course.
new text end

new text begin (b) If there is space available in a course after an eligible person has enrolled and
paid for the course, the institution of higher education must apply the tuition to another
course or to any outstanding balance.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Terms; limits. new text end

new text begin There is no limit to the number of terms, quarters, or
semesters an eligible person may attend courses, nor income limitation imposed in
determining eligibility under subdivision 1. Enrollment in a closed enrollment contract
training program or in any part of a farm or small business management education
program that includes on-site individualized instruction is not eligible for benefits under
subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Catalogue statement. new text end

new text begin Each state-supported institution of higher education
shall prominently include in its catalogue a statement of benefits provided for eligible
persons.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Determination of qualifications. new text end

new text begin (a) The institution shall determine
whether a person qualifies for, and require execution of appropriate forms to request,
the benefits available under this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) A person is not eligible for the educational benefits described in this program if
the person has educational assistance eligibility remaining under:
new text end

new text begin (1) any federal veterans program;
new text end

new text begin (2) the Minnesota National Guard tuition reimbursement grant program, established
under section 192.501, subdivision 2; or
new text end

new text begin (3) the Minnesota GI Bill education program established under section 197.791.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; EXPIRATION.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 and 2 are effective for academic courses beginning on or after July 1,
2012. This program expires on June 30, 2019.
new text end