HB 366 — Va. Nat'l Guard State Tuition Assistance Program; provisions relating to eligibility for grants.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENGROSSED 24104415DREPRINT I24104415D HOUSE BILL NO.

366 NHouse OfferedAmendments Januaryin 10,[ ] - February 5, 2024 A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-610 of the Code of Virginia, relating to institutions of higher education;

Virginia NationalNa––––––––––rd Guard State Tuition Assistance Program.

RPatron ––––––––––Prior Patrons––Reid,to FeggansEngrossment––Delegate andReid Thomas O –––––––––– D Referred to Committee on Education E –––––––––– UBe 1.it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

N 1.

CG § 23.1-610.

Emember A.of the Virginia National Guard and has a minimum remaining obligation of two years, (ii) has satisfactorily completed required initial active duty service, (iii) is satisfactorily performing duty in accordance with regulations of the National Guard, and (iv) is enrolled in any course or program and in good standing at any public institution of higher education or accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide collegiate or graduate education and not tS provide religious training or theological education is eligible for a grant in the amount of the difference between the full cost of tuition [ and fees ] and any other educational benefits for which he is eligible as a member of the National Guard.

AnyGrants Subjectprovided tounder regulationsthis assection prescribedshall bybe thesubject Adjutantto General,limitDtion anyamount individual who (i) is a member of thefunding Virginiaappropriated, National Guard and has a minimum remaining obligation of two years, (ii) has satisfactorily completed required initial active duty service, (iii) is satisfactorily performing duty in accordance with regulations of the NationalDepartment Guard, and (iv) is enrolled in any course or program and in good standing at any public institution of higherMilitary educationAffairs or(the accreditedDepartment) nonprofitshall privateissue institutiongrants ofto provide religious training or theological education is eligible forrecipients abased granton in the amountorder ofin the difference between the full cost of tuition and fees and any other educational benefits for which heapplications iswere eligiblereceived. as a member of the National Guard.

GrantsB. provided under this section shall be subject to limitation based on the amount of funds appropriated for such purpose.

IfApplication applications for grantsa exceedgrant theshall amoHntbe ofmade fundingto appropriated, the Department ofno Militarylater Affairsthan (the30 Department)days shallprior issueto grants to3eligible recipients based on the orderbeginning inof whichan applicationsacademic weresemester. received.

6The B.Department shall determine whether an applicant is eligible for the grant as described in subsection A and communicate acceptance and any additional requirements determined by the Department in writing no later than 30 days after receipt of an application.

Application for a grant shall be made to the Department no later than 30 days prior to the the grant as described in subsection A and communicate acceptance and any additional requirementse for determined by the Department in writing no later than 30 days after receipt of an application.

H 1.

Satisfy all financial obligations with the institution of higher education at the beginningbeginni3g of each semester;sem2.

Provide written proof of acceptable academic performance and 2.good standing with the institution of higher education for the current term to the Department no later than 30 days following the end of a term or semester.

ProvideUpon writtenthe proofreceipt of acceptableproof of academic performance and continued good standing with the institution of higher education for the current term to the Department no later than 30 days following the end of a the Department, the Department shall issue grants in a manner and amount that is consistent withtowith :35 regulations promulgated by the Adjutant General.

As used in this subdivision, "academic performance" 36 regulationsmeans promulgated(i) byachieving a passing grade in each course during the Adjutantsemester General.and (ii) maintaining a / 37 cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0 or its equivalent, and "good standing" 38 means that the individual has fulfilled all obligations to the institution of higher education [ .

AsUpon usedagainst in this subdivision, "academic performance" 37 means (i) achieving a passing grade in each course during the semesterrecipient's andstudent (ii)account maintaining] a.to / 38 cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0 or its equivalent, and "good standing" 39 means that the individualapplicable has fulfilled all obligations to the institution of higher education.education for credit C.

C.Any member of the Virginia National Guard shall be eligible to receive a grant under this section if such member has two years remaining on his service obligation to the Virginia National Guard as of the last day of the last term or semester for which tuition assistance is requested.

AnyService memberin of the Virginiainactive National Guard shall be eligible to receive a grant under this section if such member has two years remaining on his service obligation to the Virginia National Guard as of National Guard, the active duty or reserve forces of the United States, or the National Guard of anyinactiveany other state shall not count as applicable service toward fulfilling this service obligation.

D.Virginia National Guard.

The Departmentyearly mayfunding utilizeamount grantfor fundingsuch inrecruitment ordershall tobe recruitat qualifiedthe applicantsdiscretion forofn servicethe inthe Adjutant General and the VirginiaDepartment Nationaland Guard.not exceed $50,000 per fiscal year.

The yearly funding amount for such recruitment shall be at the discretion of the Adjutant General and the Department and not exceed $50,000 per fiscal year.