1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; requiring in-state tuition status for veterans; 
1.3 	requiring the creation of course equivalency guides for military coursework; 
1.4 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 135A.04; 135A.08, subdivision 1.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 135A.04, is amended to read:
1.7 	135A.04 VARIABLE TUITION.
1.8 	The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota and the Board of Trustees 
1.9 	of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall each establish tuition. Tuition 
1.10 	may vary by program, level of instruction, cost of instruction, or other classifications 
1.11 	determined by each board. Tuition may be set at any percentage of instructional cost 
1.12 	established by the respective boards. A veteran, as defined under section 197.447, is 
1.13 	qualified for in-state tuition rates, irrespective of the veteran's state of residence prior 
1.14 	to discharge from active military service.

1.15 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 135A.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.16 		Subdivision 1.Course equivalency. The Board of Regents of the University of 
1.17 	Minnesota and the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities 
1.18 	shall develop and maintain course equivalency guides for use between institutions that 
1.19 	have a high frequency of transfer. The course equivalency guides must include information 
1.20 	on the course equivalency and awarding of credit for learning acquired as a result of 
1.21 	the successful completion of formal military courses and occupational training. Course 
1.22 	equivalency guides shall are not be required for vocational technical programs that have 
1.23 	not been divided into identifiable courses. The governing boards of private institutions 
2.1 	that grant associate and baccalaureate degrees and that have a high frequency of transfer 
2.2 	students are requested to participate in developing these guides.