MS HB1450

Waives tuition, required fees, and housing costs at Mississippi state institutions of higher learning and public community/junior colleges for children of deceased veterans killed in the line of duty or died from service-connected disabilities during the Persian Gulf War, beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year.

Eligible applicants must be Mississippi residents under age 23 on the first day of enrollment (or older if they began earning academic credit before age 23 and had interrupted instruction), and must provide documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs verifying the veteran's death.

Full-time students may receive a maximum of four annual waivers (or five for five-year degree programs), while part-time students may receive waivers up to the length of time required to complete their degree or certificate program.

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 and make steady academic progress toward degree completion to renew waivers; persons with a baccalaureate degree are ineligible, and those with an associate degree may only receive waivers toward a baccalaureate degree.

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning serves as the administering agency and must prioritize renewing waivers for continuing eligible students making academic progress if funding is insufficient for all applicants.