(a)As used in this section:
(i)"Eligible person" includes the surviving spouse
and dependent of any person who was a resident of Wyoming at the
time of entering into active state service or active service
with the armed forces of the United States:
(A)Whose death was service connected, as
defined in 81 Stat. 181, 38 U.S.C. 101, or is listed officially
in the military records of the United States as being a prisoner
of war or missing in action as a result of active state service
or active service with the armed forces of the United States; or (B)Who was honorably discharged from the armed
forces of the United States and thereafter died of an injury or
disease incurred while in active state service or active service
with such armed forces, being a resident at the time of death.
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(a) As used in this section:
(i) "Eligible person" includes the surviving spouse
and dependent of any person who was a resident of Wyoming at the
time of entering into active state service or active service
with the armed forces of the United States:
(A) Whose death was service connected, as
defined in 81 Stat. 181, 38 U.S.C. 101, or is listed officially
in the military records of the United States as being a prisoner
of war or missing in action as a result of active state service
or active service with the armed forces of the United States; or
(B) Who was honorably discharged from the armed
forces of the United States and thereafter died of an injury or
disease incurred while in active state service or active service
with such armed forces, being a resident at the time of death.
(ii) "Vietnam veteran" means any person who:
(A) Was in active service with the armed forces
of the United States and received a Vietnam service medal
between August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975;
(B) Received a discharge from the armed forces
of the United States other than dishonorably; and
(C) Has been a resident of Wyoming for not less
than one (1) year.
(iii) "Academic year" means the twelve (12) month
period beginning with the commencement of the fall semester for
the University of Wyoming and with the commencement of the
summer semester for community colleges;
(iv) "Combat veteran surviving spouse or dependent"
means a person who is a surviving spouse or dependent of any
overseas combat veteran or Vietnam veteran when the overseas
combat veteran or Vietnam veteran was a resident of Wyoming for
at least one (1) year prior to entering active service and the
overseas combat veteran or Vietnam veteran died during active
service. For purposes of this paragraph, a child is a combat
dependent only if he was under twenty-two (22) years of age at
the time his parent or legal guardian died in overseas combat
during active service;
(v) "Overseas combat veteran" means a person other
than a Vietnam veteran who was a resident of Wyoming for at
least one (1) year prior to entering into active service, who is
an honorably discharged veteran who served in the military
service of the United States and who was awarded the armed
forces expeditionary medal or other authorized service or
campaign medal indicating service to the United States in any
armed conflict in a foreign country;
(vi) "Successive education" means the pursuit of a
degree or certificate at a higher level than the student has
previously earned using benefits received under this section.
(b) The state or any political educational subdivision
shall provide free tuition to all eligible persons who are
residents of this state and who are attending or may attend the
University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college for the
purpose of successive education, where courses of instruction
are provided in subjects which would tend to enable the eligible
persons to engage in any useful trade, occupation or profession.
Funds provided under this section shall not exceed the
University of Wyoming current undergraduate rate per semester,
regardless of the education level, degree or certification a
student pursues.
(c) Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 91, § 3.
(d) The community college commission shall reimburse the
University of Wyoming and each community college for the costs
of tuition provided under this section. If insufficient funds
are appropriated, the reimbursement shall be proportionally
reduced based on tuition expenses. The commission shall
promulgate rules for the implementation of the free tuition
pursuant to subsections (f) through (k) of this section,
including the reimbursement to the university and community
colleges.
(e) The community college commission shall include within
its biennial budget request submitted under W.S. 9-2-1013 a
report identifying the actions taken and monies expended
pursuant to this act for each of the immediately preceding two
(2) fiscal years.
(f) Any person who is a Vietnam veteran, not presently
receiving education benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment
Act of 1944, as amended, an overseas combat veteran, a combat
veteran surviving spouse or a combat veteran dependent shall
receive free tuition for up to a total of eight (8) semesters of
study at the University of Wyoming or any Wyoming community
college. The University of Wyoming and all Wyoming community
colleges shall cooperate to ensure that a total of not more than
eight (8) semesters is provided under this section to any
recipient. No person shall be eligible for the benefits
provided under this section for any semester commencing more
than eight (8) academic years after the semester in which the
person initially receives benefits under this section. The
institution in which the student enrolls shall grant exceptions
to the requirements of this subsection for military service,
religious service or other good cause shown, which exceptions
shall be consistent with rules promulgated by the Wyoming
department of education for the Hathaway scholarship program
under W.S. 21-16-1303(d).
(g) In order to qualify for the benefit under this
section, a person claiming eligibility as an overseas combat
veteran, combat veteran surviving spouse or combat veteran
dependent shall enroll at the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming
community college. A combat veteran dependent shall be under
twenty-two (22) years of age at the time of enrollment at the
University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college.
(i) Repealed By Laws 2012, Ch. 92, § 2.
(ii) Repealed By Laws 2012, Ch. 92, § 2.
(iii) Repealed By Laws 2012, Ch. 92, § 2.
(h) The institution in which the student enrolls shall
grant exceptions to the requirements of this section for
military service, religious service or other good cause shown,
which exceptions shall be consistent with rules promulgated by
the Wyoming department of education for the Hathaway scholarship
program under W.S. 21-16-1303(b)(iii)(B). There is no
limitation as to when a Vietnam veteran not presently receiving
education benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of
1944, as amended, may enroll and begin receiving benefits under
this section. There also is no limit as to when an overseas
combat veteran or combat veteran surviving spouse may enroll and
begin receiving benefits under this section.
(j) A person who had qualified for free tuition under
subsection (f) or (g) of this section, shall be deemed eligible
for the free tuition at any Wyoming community college or the
University of Wyoming up to the maximum number of semesters of
study allowed under subsection (f) of this section, if the
person transfers to another institution specified in subsection
(b) of this section.
(k) To remain eligible for benefits under this section, by
the end of the spring semester completing the student's third or
fourth semester of attendance, the student shall have a
cumulative grade point average of at least two point zero (2.0)
and shall maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least
two point zero (2.0) at the end of each subsequent spring
semester to continue to receive the free tuition.