2007 Minnesota Statutes

197.75 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, WAR SURVIVORS AND VETERANS.
    Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
    (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of veterans affairs.
    (c) "Deceased veteran" means a veteran who was a Minnesota resident within six months of
the time of the person's entry into the United States armed forces and who has died as a result of
that service, as determined by the United States Veterans Administration.
    (d) "Eligible child" means a person who:
    (1) is the natural or adopted son or daughter of a deceased veteran; and
    (2) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution of higher
education.
    (e) "Eligible institution" means a postsecondary educational institution located in this state
that either (1) is operated by this state, or (2) is operated publicly or privately and, as determined
by the office, maintains academic standards substantially equivalent to those of comparable
institutions operated in this state.
    (f) "Eligible spouse" means the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.
    (g) "Eligible veteran" means a veteran who:
    (1) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution of higher
education;
    (2) had Minnesota as the person's state of residence at the time of the person's enlistment
or any reenlistment into the United States armed forces, as shown by the person's federal form
DD-214 or other official documentation to the satisfaction of the commissioner;
    (3) except for benefits under this section, has no remaining military or veteran-related
educational assistance benefits for which the person may have been entitled; and
    (4) while using the educational assistance authorized in this section, remains a resident
student as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 8.
    (h) "Satisfactory academic progress" has the meaning given in section 136A.101, subdivision
10.
    (i) "Student" has the meaning given in section 136A.101, subdivision 7.
    (j) "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447.
    Subd. 2. Benefits; eligibility. (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall spend a biennial
appropriation to provide an educational assistance stipend of $750 each year for each eligible
child and each eligible spouse, and a single payment of $750 for each eligible veteran. This
stipend is not available for any person who has attained a bachelor's or equivalent degree.
    (b) Each eligible child and each eligible spouse shall be admitted to any Minnesota public
eligible institution free of tuition until the person has attained a bachelor's or equivalent degree.
    (c) Payments of benefits authorized under this section shall be made directly to the
participating eligible institutions or to eligible individuals, as determined by the commissioner.
    Subd. 3. Proof of eligibility. Approval for benefits under this section shall require submission
of the following evidence: application, proof of military service, and, where applicable, proof of
residency and a statement from the United States Veterans Administration that the veteran has
exhausted entitlement to federal educational benefits through use thereof or that the veteran died
of service connected disabilities. Upon submission of satisfactory proof of eligibility, benefits
shall be provided from the date of application and notification of approval shall be sent to the
educational institution and applicant.
    Subd. 4. Reimbursement form. The commissioner shall establish policies and procedures
for determining eligibility and payment under this section.
    Subd. 5. Participation by eligible institutions. (a) Each Minnesota public postsecondary
institution must continue to participate in the educational assistance program authorized in this
section during both peacetime and times of war.
    (b) Any participating eligible institution not described in paragraph (a) may suspend or
terminate its participation in the program at the end of any academic semester or other academic
term.
    Subd. 6. [Repealed by amendment, 2007 c 45 art 2 s 3]
History: 1943 c 663 s 5; 1945 c 235 s 2; 1947 c 176 s 2,3; 1953 c 108 s 1; 1955 c 45 s 1;
1957 c 258 s 2; 1957 c 576 s 1,2; 1969 c 275 s 9,10; 1971 c 24 s 16; 1971 c 97 s 1-3; 1973 c
349 s 2; 1975 c 321 s 2; 1980 c 614 s 99; 1983 c 335 s 1; 1987 c 258 s 12; 1989 c 246 s 2;
1990 c 444 s 2; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1Sp2001 c 10 art 2 s 68,69; 2003 c 130 s 12; 2004 c
256 art 2 s 3,4; 2007 c 45 art 2 s 3