1. Subject to an appropriation of sufficient funds by the general assembly, a member of the national guard who meets the eligibility requirements of this subsection is entitled to attend and pursue any undergraduate course of study at a community college as defined in chapter 260C, or an institution of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents upon the payment by the member personally of fifty percent of the tuition charged by the community college or institution of higher learning. The remaining tuition shall be paid by the college student aid commission from funds appropriated by the general assembly. To be eligible for tuition aid under this section, a national guard member shall meet the following conditions:
a. Be a resident of the state and a member of an Iowa army or air national guard unit throughout each semester or duration of the vocational program for which the member has applied for benefits.
b. Have satisfactorily completed required initial active duty training.
c. Have maintained satisfactory performance of duty upon return from initial active duty training, including attending a minimum ninety percent of scheduled drill dates and attending annual training.
d. Have satisfactorily met the entrance requirements for admission to a community college, or institution of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents, and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
e. Have provided proper notice of national guard status to the community college or institution at the time of registration for the term in which tuition benefits are sought.
f. Apply to the adjutant general of Iowa, who shall determine eligibility and whose decision is final.
2. Participation in the tuition aid program by an accredited private institution, as defined in section 261.9, is voluntary. Subject to an appropriation of sufficient funds by the general assembly, a member of the Iowa national guard who meets the eligibility requirements of subsection 1, except for subsection 1, paragraph "d", is entitled to attend and pursue any undergraduate course of study at any participating accredited private institution, as defined in section 261.9, upon admission to the institution and payment of tuition less an amount equal to fifty percent of the resident tuition rate established for institutions of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents. The remaining tuition, not to exceed fifty percent of the resident tuition rate for a regents university, shall be paid by the college student aid commission from funds appropriated by the general assembly.
3. An eligible member of the national guard, attending an educational institution as a full-time student, shall not receive tuition aid under this section for more than eight semesters, or if attending as a part-time student, not more than sixteen semesters of undergraduate study, or the trimester or quarter equivalent. A guard member who has met the educational requirements for a baccalaureate degree is ineligible for tuition aid under this section.
4. The eligibility of applicants shall be certified by the adjutant general of Iowa to the college student aid commission, and all amounts that are or become due to a community college, accredited private institution, or institution of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents under this section shall be paid to the college or institution by the college student aid commission upon receipt of certification by the president or governing board of the educational institution as to accuracy of charges made, and as to the attendance of the individual at the educational institution. The college student aid commission shall maintain an annual record of the number of participants and the tuition dollar value of the participation.
5. The college student aid commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section.
96 Acts, ch 1215, §37
Iowa General Assembly
Search: Iowa Code 1997
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