NO. 39.  AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS.

(S.149)

It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:

Sec. 1.  16 V.S.A. § 2856(a) and (b) are amended to read:

(a)  An active member of the Vermont army national guard or the air national guard may be eligible for an interest-free loan in an academic year for financial assistance to pay for tuition and fees for courses taken at a Vermont college, university, or regional technical center.  Academic year awards may be up to $2,500.00 for a full-time student, up to $700.00 for a half-time student and up to $200.00 for a quarter-time student the in-state tuition rate at the Vermont state colleges for that year.

(b)  To be eligible for an educational loan under this section, a person shall:

(1)  have been a Vermont resident for at least one year;

(2)  be an active member in good standing of a federally-recognized unit of the Vermont army national guard or air national guard;

(3)  have successfully completed basic training or commissioning;

(4)  not hold a baccalaureate degree or higher; and

(5)  be enrolled in a program that leads to a postsecondary degree, diploma or be studying for relevant continuing education purposes.

Approved:  May 26, 2003