House Bill 617

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 33-7-405, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AUTHORITY OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL TO AUTHORIZE STATE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FUNDS FOR ROOM AND BOARD PAYMENTS TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS IN AN OFFICER PRODUCING PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 33-7-405, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

33-7-405. The Adjutant General is hereby authorized to pay the tuition, room and board for any active member of the Mississippi National Guard who is enrolled or may enroll within the State of Mississippi in an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational education school or junior college. To be eligible for such benefits, the individual, at the time of his initial enrollment, must be a captain, lieutenant, warrant officer, cadet, officer candidate or enlisted member of the Mississippi National Guard, or a member of such guard who is participating in the educational program authorized by this section as of the effective date of this article; be at least seventeen (17) years of age; and be a resident and a qualified elector of the State of Mississippi. To be eligible for the room and board grant, an individual must also be in an officer producing program and be selected to receive the grant by the Adjutant General. The tuition may only be used for undergraduate studies and vocational education courses, whether such coursework is taken on a semester or clock-hour basis. In no event will any individual be eligible for payment of tuition after receipt of an undergraduate degree, whether received through this article or not. No person shall be eligible for a tuition and/or a room and board grant for more than ten (10) years after the date of the first tuition payment for him under this article. The Adjutant General shall set up minimum standards for performance that must be met in order to maintain eligibility for continuing in the program.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.