MS HB52

Waives tuition, required fees, and housing costs at Mississippi state universities, colleges, and community/junior colleges for children of deceased veterans killed in the line of duty or who died from service-connected disabilities as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year.

Limits eligibility to children who have not reached 23 years of age on the first day of enrollment, with exceptions for students who began coursework before age 23 and experienced interruptions in their education.

Permits both full-time and part-time students to apply; full-time students may receive up to 4 annual waivers (or 5 if degree requires 5 years), while part-time students may receive waivers for the duration of their degree program.

Requires students to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale and make steady academic progress toward degree completion to renew waivers; waiver value cannot exceed actual tuition costs or when combined with other aid.

Designates the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning as the administering agency, with the Board jointly promulgating rules with the Mississippi Community College Board; directs Legislature to appropriate necessary funding.