SECOND REGULAR SESSION
[PERFECTED]
HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Reported from the Committee on Veterans March 13, 2006 with recommendation that House Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 1482 Do Pass. Referred to the Committee on Rules pursuant to Rule 25(26)(f).
Reported from the Committee on Rules March 16, 2006 with recommendation that House Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 1482 Do Pass.
Taken up for Perfection April 10, 2006. House Committee Substitute for House Bill No.1482 ordered Perfected and printed.
STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal section 173.239, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to national guard educational assistance grants.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 173.239, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 173.239, to read as follows:
173.239. 1. Any member of the Missouri national guard who possesses the qualifications set forth in this section may be awarded an educational assistance grant to an approved public institution or an approved private institution, as those terms are defined in either section 173.205 or section 173.778, of his or her choice while he or she is a member of the Missouri national guard. Funding for educational assistance pursuant to this section may be requested annually in the budget of the Missouri national guard. Educational assistance provided pursuant to this section shall not exceed funds appropriated for that purpose.
2. Educational assistance provided under this section shall not exceed the least of the following:
(1) The actual tuition, as defined in section 173.260, charged at an approved institution where the individual is enrolled or accepted for enrollment; or
(2) The amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident at the University of Missouri for attendance;
(3) The grants provided under this section may be prorated subject to appropriations in an amount no less than fifty percent of the limits set forth in this section.
3. A member of the Missouri national guard seeking educational assistance pursuant to this section shall provide a certificate of satisfactory service of his or her Missouri national guard duties from his or her commanding officer and shall possess all other necessary entrance requirements of the school of his or her choice and shall maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least two point five on a four point scale, or the equivalent on another scale approved by the program administrator, while attending the approved public or private institution.
4. If the grade point average of a member who is receiving educational assistance pursuant to this section falls below two point five on a four point scale, or the equivalent on another scale, such member shall retain the educational assistance and shall be placed on probation under the educational assistance program. Failure to achieve a current grade point average of at least two point five on a four point scale, or the equivalent on another scale for future semesters or equivalent academic terms shall result in termination of the scholarship effective as of the next academic term. The member shall be removed from probation status upon achieving a cumulative grade point average of two point five on a four point scale or the equivalent on another scale.
5. If a recipient of educational assistance pursuant to this section ceases to maintain [their] his or her active military affiliation while enrolled in a [course of study or within three years after the completion of a course of study] semester or session for any reason except death, disability, or medical disqualification the educational assistance shall be terminated and the recipient shall repay any amounts awarded for the semester or session pursuant to this section. [For the purposes of this section, individuals who are called to active duty will be credited for time served in fulfillment of their three-year obligation.]
6. Applicants for educational assistance pursuant to this section shall meet the qualifications established by section 173.215, except the provisions of subdivisions (2) and (4) of subsection 1 of section 173.215, and shall be qualified, full-time or part-time students.
7. The educational assistance program established pursuant to this section shall be administered by the office of the adjutant general of the Missouri national guard. The Missouri national guard shall establish guidelines for equitable administrative distribution of educational assistance.
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