HF 2362 (LSB 5993HH (2) 83)

HOUSE FILE 2362

BY  PALMER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the assistance amount under the national guard educational assistance program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 261.86, subsection 2, Code 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  Educational assistance paid pursuant to this section shall not exceed the resident tuition rate established for institutions of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents. If the amount appropriated in a fiscal year for purposes of this section is insufficient to provide educational assistance to all national guard members who apply for the program and who are determined by the adjutant general to be eligible for the program, the adjutant general shall, in coordination with the commission, determine the distribution of educational assistance. However, educational assistance paid pursuant to this section shall not be less than fifty one hundred percent of the resident tuition rate established for institutions of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents or fifty one hundred percent of the tuition rate at the institution attended by the national guard member, whichever is lower. Neither eligibility nor educational assistance determinations shall be based upon a national guard member’s unit, the location at which drills are attended, or whether the eligible individual is a member of the Iowa army or air national guard.
EXPLANATION
   This bill relates to the assistance amount under the national guard educational assistance program in accordance with Code section 261.86.
   Under current law, if appropriations are not sufficient, the adjutant general, in coordination with the college student aid commission, determines the distribution of assistance. However, the assistance amount cannot be less than 50 percent of resident tuition rate established for institutions of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents or 50 percent of the tuition rate at the institution attended by the national guard member, whichever is lower. The bill changes the required percentages to 100 percent.