MS HB117

Waives tuition, required fees, and housing costs at Mississippi state universities, colleges, and community/junior colleges for children of deceased veterans killed in line of duty or who died from service-connected disabilities.

Eligible applicants must be Mississippi residents, children of qualifying deceased veterans, under 23 years old on the first day of enrollment, and provide documentation of the veteran's death from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Full-time students may receive up to 4 annual waivers (5 for five-year degree programs); part-time students may receive waivers for the length of time required to complete their degree program.

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

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning administers the program and serves as the priority recipient for new applicants, with existing waiver recipients given priority if funding is insufficient; the act takes effect July 1, 2012.