1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; modifying definition for purposes of certain 
1.3 	educational assistance;amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 197.75, 
1.4 	subdivision 1.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 197.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this 
1.8 	section.
1.9 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of veterans affairs.
1.10 	(c) "Deceased veteran" means a veteran who has died as a result of the person's 
1.11 	military service, as determined by the United States Veterans Administration, and who 
1.12 	was a resident of this state: (1) within six months of entering the United States armed 
1.13 	forces, or (2) for the six months preceding the veteran's date of death.
1.14 	(d) "Eligible child" means a person who:
1.15 	(1) is the natural or adopted child or stepchild of a deceased veteran; and
1.16 	(2) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution 
1.17 	of higher education.
1.18 	(e) "Eligible institution" means a postsecondary educational institution located in 
1.19 	this state that either ~~(1)~~ is operated by this state or the Board of Regents of the University 
1.20 	of Minnesota, or ~~(2) is operated publicly or privately and, as determined by the office,~~ 
1.21 	~~maintains academic standards substantially equivalent to those of comparable institutions~~ 
1.22 	~~operated in this state~~ is licensed or registered with the Office of Higher Education.
1.23 	(f) "Eligible spouse" means the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.
1.24 	(g) "Eligible veteran" means a veteran who:
2.1 	(1) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution 
2.2 	of higher education;
2.3 	(2) had Minnesota as the person's state of residence at the time of the person's 
2.4 	enlistment or any reenlistment into the United States armed forces, as shown by the 
2.5 	person's federal form DD-214 or other official documentation to the satisfaction of the 
2.6 	commissioner;
2.7 	(3) except for benefits under this section, has no remaining military or veteran-related 
2.8 	educational assistance benefits for which the person may have been entitled; and
2.9 	(4) while using the educational assistance authorized in this section, remains a 
2.10 	resident student as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 8.
2.11 	(h) "Satisfactory academic progress" has the meaning given in section 136A.101, 
2.12 	subdivision 10.
2.13 	(i) "Student" has the meaning given in section 136A.101, subdivision 7.
2.14 	(j) "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447.