PRINTER'S NO. 471

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

450

Session of

2017

INTRODUCED BY MURT, READSHAW, DRISCOLL, DAVIS, MILLARD, McNEILL,

J. HARRIS, KINSEY, BOBACK, V. BROWN, KORTZ, SAYLOR, D. COSTA,

SAINATO, NEILSON, DeLUCA, DEASY AND FARRY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

Tuition Waiver Program; and making editorial changes.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The heading of Chapter 87 of Title 51 of the

Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:

Section 2. Chapter 87 of Title 51 is amended by adding a

subchapter heading to read:

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"Commission." The State Veterans' Commission established

under section 1702 (relating to State Veterans' Commission).

"Educational institution." Any college or university of the

State System of Higher Education, a State-aided educational or

training institution of a secondary or college grade or other

institution of higher education, a business school, a trade

school, a hospital school providing training for nurses, an

institution providing courses in beauty culture, art, radio or

undertaking or embalming, or such other educational training

within this Commonwealth approved by the commission.

(as determined by the Department of Military Affairs);

(2) died in service during a period of war or armed

conflict;

(3) was honorably discharged from the military or naval

forces of the United States and certified by the United

States Veterans' Administration as a 100% disabled veteran as

a result of service during a period of war or armed conflict

or as a result of hostile fire or terrorist attack (as

determined by the Department of Military Affairs) during

peacetime; or

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war or armed conflict or as a result of peacetime hostile

fire or terrorist attack (as determined by the Department of

Military Affairs).

"Qualified child." Any child meeting the requirements of

section [8703] 8712 (relating to eligibility and qualification

requirements).

Section 4. Chapter 87 of Title 51 is amended by adding a

subchapter heading to read:

EDUCATIONAL GRATUITY

submission by that approved educational institution of proof

that bills have been incurred or contracted covering

matriculation fees and other necessary fees, tuition, board,

room rent, books and supplies for a qualified child in a

definite amount for the school year.

(b) Records.--The commission shall attach the proof

submitted under subsection (a) to the requisition prepared for

payment out of appropriations made by the General Assembly for

purposes of the educational gratuity payments.

(c) Duration of payments.--Whenever a qualified child is

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child for a period longer than four scholastic years, provided,

however, that the department may adjust the payments per term or

semester per child so that the total payments do not exceed the

amount of the appropriation.

§ [8703] 8712. Eligibility and qualification requirements.

(a) Eligibility standards.--The following requirements shall

be used to determine the eligibility of applicants for

educational gratuity payments. The applicant shall be:

(1) Not less than 16 years of age nor more than 23 years

of age.

determine qualified applicants based on the following

requirements:

(1) The applicant meets the requirements of subsection

(a).

(2) The applicant is attending an approved educational

institution.

(3) The applicant demonstrates a financial need for the

educational gratuity.

(c) Appeal.--Any aggrieved applicant may appeal the decision

of the commission to the Adjutant General under the provisions

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MEDAL OF HONOR AND PURPLE HEART

RECIPIENT TUITION WAIVER PROGRAM

Sec.

8721. Definitions.

8722. Establishment.

8723. Requirements.

8724. Regulations.

§ 8721. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

"Public institution of higher education." One of the

following:

(1) A community college as defined under section 1901-

A(4) of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as

the Public School Code of 1949.

(2) A State-related institution.

(3) The Pennsylvania State University, the University of

Pittsburgh, Temple University and Lincoln University or a

branch campus of one of these universities.

(4) A member institution of the State System of Higher

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"Qualified resident." An individual who has been a bona fide

resident of this Commonwealth prior to the time an application

for a tuition waiver is made.

"Tuition." The rate charged to a resident of this

Commonwealth by a public institution of higher education.

"Veteran." An individual who has served in the United States

Armed Forces, including a reserve component or National Guard,

and who has been discharged or released from the service under

conditions other than dishonorable.

§ 8722. Establishment.

(1) Is admitted as a full-time or part-time student in a

program of study leading to a degree or certificate.

(2) Provides documentation as required by the department

that provides verification that the applicant meets the

requirements under this subchapter.

(b) Determination.-- The agency shall make the final decision

as to whether an applicant is a qualified resident.

§ 8724. Regulations.

The Adjutant General and the agency may promulgate

regulations to carry out the provisions of this subchapter.

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