Pennsylvania Act 2000-11 — MILITARY AND VETERANS CODE (51 PA.C.S.) - AMEND

Act text

Session of 2000

No. 2000-11

SB 1184

AN ACT

Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further defining "qualified resident"; and further providing for eligibility for educational assistance and for amount of educational assistance grants.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The definition of "qualified resident" in section 3201 of Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:

§ 3201. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

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"Qualified resident." An individual who has been a bona fide resident of this Commonwealth [for a period of at least 12 consecutive months immediately] prior to the time an application for a grant is made. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency shall make the final decision on whether an applicant is a qualified resident.

Section 2. Sections 3202 and 3205(a) of Title 51 are amended to read:

§ 3202. Eligibility.

(a) General rule.--A Pennsylvania National Guard member is eligible to receive a public service educational grant under this chapter if the member meets all of the following eligibility criteria:

(1) The member is a qualified resident of this Commonwealth.

[(2) The member serves in an enlisted grade or in the grade of a warrant officer 1, warrant officer 2, first lieutenant or second lieutenant.

(3)] (2) The member is a member in good standing and has been a satisfactory participant in Pennsylvania National Guard activities for a minimum service period established by the Adjutant General.

[(4)] (3) The member has enrolled as a student in an approved program of education at an approved institution of higher learning.

(b) Additional eligibility criteria for full-time student assistance grants.--In addition to the eligibility criteria specified in subsection (a), a student must meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify for a full-time student assistance grant:

(1) The member does not possess a baccalaureate degree.

(2) The member accepts an obligation to serve in the Pennsylvania National Guard for a period of six years from the date of entry into the program by enlistment, reenlistment, extension of enlistment or execution of a service commitment.

(3) The member has enrolled as a full-time student in an approved program of education at an approved institution of higher learning.

(4) The member is not receiving a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarship , excluding a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship .

§ 3205. Amount of grants.

(a) Full-time student assistance grants.--Grants awarded under this chapter to full-time students shall be determined by the agency without regard to financial need and shall not exceed for each academic year the lesser of:

(1) the tuition of the approved institution of higher learning for the approved program of education in which the member is enrolled; or

(2) [two-thirds of] the tuition charged to a resident of this Commonwealth at a member institution of the State System of Higher Education for the same academic year.

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Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2000, or immediately, whichever is later.

APPROVED--The 10th day of May, A. D. 2000.

THOMAS J. RIDGE