Bill Text: CT SB00287 | 2016 | General Assembly | Comm Sub
Bill Title: An Act Concerning Tuition And Fee Waivers For Veterans And Members Of The Connecticut National Guard At Public Institutions Of Higher Education.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-04-19 - Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate [SB00287 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2016-SB00287-Comm_Sub.html
General Assembly |
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February Session, 2016 |
*_____SB00287FIN___041916____* |
AN ACT CONCERNING TUITION AND FEE WAIVERS FOR VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE CONNECTICUT NATIONAL GUARD AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsections (d) to (g), inclusive, of section 10a-77 of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):
(d) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition at any of the regional community-technical colleges (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to such institution and is a resident of Connecticut at the time such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran who performed service in time of war, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, [except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy,] who has been accepted for admission to such institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to such institution, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, and except that said board of trustees shall also waive for any such veteran the payment of any extension fees for educational extension programs and summer school sessions, as described in section 10a-26, (3) for any resident of Connecticut sixty-two years of age or older, provided, at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those persons eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such person intends to enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut State Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said academy offered in coordination with a regional community-technical college which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate degree-granting program, except that said board of trustees shall also waive for any such member the payment of any extension fees for educational extension programs and summer school sessions, as described in section 10a-26, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of this state, (8) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, and (9) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state. If any person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational reimbursement. Veterans described in subdivision (2) of this subsection and members of the National Guard described in subdivision (5) of this subsection shall be given the same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for courses at regional community-technical colleges. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in this state" includes domicile for less than one year.
(e) (1) If any veteran described in subsection (d) of this section has applied for federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition and extension fees at any of the regional community-technical colleges for such veteran in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection. If any such veteran certifies to said board of trustees that such veteran's application for such federal educational assistance has been denied or withdrawn, said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition and extension fees in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.
(2) (A) For purposes of this subdivision, "veteran tuition benefit" means the portion of federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 to be paid to a regional community-technical college on behalf of a veteran that represents payment for tuition and extension fees. Such portion shall be calculated by multiplying (i) the total amount of such federal educational assistance to be paid to a regional community-technical college on behalf of such veteran by (ii) an amount obtained by dividing (I) the actual tuition and extension fees charged by such college to such veteran by (II) the sum of the actual tuition, extension fees and other fees charged by such college to such veteran.
(B) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition and extension fees in excess of the veteran tuition benefit at any of the regional community-technical colleges for such veteran.
(f) Said board of trustees shall set aside from its anticipated regional community-technical college tuition revenue, an amount not less than that required by said board's tuition policy. Such funds shall be used to provide tuition waivers, tuition remissions, grants for educational expenses and student employment for residents enrolled in regional community-technical colleges as full or part-time matriculated students in a degree-granting program, or enrolled in a precollege remedial program, who demonstrate substantial financial need. Said board may also set aside from its anticipated tuition revenue an additional amount equal to one per cent of said tuition revenue for financial assistance for students who would not otherwise be eligible for financial assistance but who do have a financial need as determined by the college in accordance with this subsection. In determining such financial need, the college shall exclude the value of equity in the principal residence of the student's parents or legal guardians, or in the student's principal residence if the student is not considered to be a dependent of his parents or legal guardians and shall assess the earnings of a dependent student at the rate of thirty per cent.
(g) The Regional Community-Technical Colleges Operating Fund shall be reimbursed for the amount by which the tuition and extension fee waivers granted under subsection (d) of this section exceed five per cent of tuition and extension fee revenue through an annual state appropriation. The board of trustees shall request such an appropriation and said appropriation shall be based upon an estimate of tuition and extension fee revenue loss using tuition and extension fee rates in effect for the fiscal year in which such appropriation will apply.
Sec. 2. Subsections (d) to (g), inclusive, of section 10a-99 of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):
(d) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition fees at the Connecticut State University System (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to such institution and is a resident of Connecticut at the time such child is accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran who performed service in time of war, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, [except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy,] who has been accepted for admission to such institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to such institution, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, and except that said board of trustees shall also waive for any such veteran the payment of any extension fees for educational extension programs and summer school sessions, as described in section 10a-26, (3) for any resident of Connecticut sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to such institution, provided (A) such person is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those persons eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such person intends to enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut Police Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said academy offered in coordination with the university which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program, except that said board of trustees shall also waive for any such member the payment of any extension fees for educational extension programs and summer school sessions, as described in section 10a-26, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) for any resident of this state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of the state, (8) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, and (9) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state. If any person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational reimbursement. Veterans described in subdivision (2) of this subsection and members of the National Guard described in subdivision (5) of this subsection shall be given the same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for courses at Connecticut state universities. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in this state" includes domicile for less than one year.
(e) (1) If any veteran described in subsection (d) of this section has applied for federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition and extension fees at the Connecticut State University System for such veteran in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection. If any such veteran certifies to said board of trustees that such veteran's application for such federal educational assistance has been denied or withdrawn, said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition and extension fees in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.
(2) (A) For purposes of this subdivision, "veteran tuition benefit" means the portion of federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 to be paid to the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a veteran that represents payment for tuition and extension fees. Such portion shall be calculated by multiplying (i) the total amount of such federal educational assistance to be paid to the Connecticut State University System on behalf of such veteran by (ii) an amount obtained by dividing (I) the actual tuition and extension fees charged by the Connecticut State University System to such veteran by (II) the sum of the actual tuition, extension fees and other fees charged by the Connecticut State University System to such veteran.
(B) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition and extension fees in excess of the veteran tuition benefit at the Connecticut State University System for such veteran.
(f) Said board of trustees shall set aside from its anticipated tuition revenue, an amount not less than that required by the board of governors' tuition policy established under subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 10a-6. Such funds shall be used to provide tuition waivers, tuition remissions, grants for educational expenses and student employment for any undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled as a full or part-time matriculated student in a degree-granting program, or enrolled in a precollege remedial program, and who demonstrates substantial financial need. Said board may also set aside from its anticipated tuition revenue an additional amount equal to one per cent of said tuition revenue for financial assistance for students who would not otherwise be eligible for financial assistance but who do have a financial need as determined by the university in accordance with this subsection. In determining such financial need, the university shall exclude the value of equity in the principal residence of the student's parents or legal guardians, or in the student's principal residence if the student is not considered to be a dependent of his parents or legal guardians and shall assess the earnings of a dependent student at the rate of thirty per cent.
(g) The Connecticut State University System Operating Fund shall be reimbursed for the amount by which the tuition and extension fee waivers granted under subsection (d) of this section exceed two and one-half per cent of tuition and extension fee revenue through an annual state appropriation. The board of trustees shall request such an appropriation and said appropriation shall be based upon an estimate of tuition and extension fee revenue loss using tuition and extension fee rates in effect for the fiscal year in which such appropriation will apply.
Sec. 3. Subsections (e) to (h), inclusive, of section 10a-105 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):
(e) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition fees at The University of Connecticut (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to The University of Connecticut and is a resident of Connecticut at the time such child is accepted for admission to said institution, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, for any veteran who performed service in time of war, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, [except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy,] who has been accepted for admission to said institution and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to said institution, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, and except that said board of trustees shall also waive for any such veteran the payment of any extension fees for educational extension programs and summer school sessions, as described in section 10a-26, (3) for any resident of Connecticut sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to said institution, provided (A) such person is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those persons eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such person intends to enroll and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such students, (4) for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to said institution on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program, except that said board of trustees shall also waive for any such member the payment of any extension fees for educational extension programs and summer school sessions, as described in section 10a-26, (5) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (6) for any resident of the state who is the dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of the state, (7) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, and (8) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state. If any person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational reimbursement. Veterans described in subdivision (2) of this subsection and members of the National Guard described in subdivision (4) of this subsection shall be given the same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for courses at The University of Connecticut. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in this state" includes domicile for less than one year.
(f) (1) If any veteran described in subsection (e) of this section has applied for federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition and extension fees at The University of Connecticut for such veteran in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection. If any such veteran certifies to said board of trustees that such veteran's application for such federal educational assistance has been denied or withdrawn, said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition and extension fees in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.
(2) (A) For purposes of this subdivision, "veteran tuition benefit" means the portion of federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 to be paid to The University of Connecticut on behalf of a veteran that represents payment for tuition and extension fees. Such portion shall be calculated by multiplying (i) the total amount of such federal educational assistance to be paid to The University of Connecticut on behalf of such veteran by (ii) an amount obtained by dividing (I) the actual tuition and extension fees charged by The University of Connecticut to such veteran by (II) the sum of the actual tuition, extension fees and other fees charged by The University of Connecticut to such veteran.
(B) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition and extension fees in excess of the veteran tuition benefit at The University of Connecticut for such veteran.
(g) Said board of trustees shall set aside from its anticipated tuition revenue, an amount not less than that required by the board of governors' tuition policy established under subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 10a-6. Such funds shall be used to provide tuition waivers, tuition remissions, grants for educational expenses and student employment for any undergraduate, graduate or professional student who is enrolled as a full or part-time matriculated student in a degree-granting program, or enrolled in a precollege remedial program, and who demonstrates substantial financial need. Said board may also set aside from its anticipated tuition revenue an additional amount equal to one per cent of said tuition revenue for financial assistance for students who would not otherwise be eligible for financial assistance but who do have a financial need as determined by the university in accordance with this subsection. In determining such financial need, the university shall exclude the value of equity in the principal residence of the student's parents or legal guardians, or in the student's principal residence if the student is not considered to be a dependent of his parents or legal guardians and shall assess the earnings of a dependent student at the rate of thirty per cent.
(h) The University of Connecticut Operating Fund shall be reimbursed for the amount by which tuition and extension fee waivers granted under subsection (e) of this section exceed two and one-half per cent of tuition and extension fee revenue through an annual state appropriation. The board of trustees shall request such an appropriation and said appropriation shall be based upon an estimate of tuition and extension fee revenue loss using tuition and extension fee rates in effect for the fiscal year in which such appropriation will apply.
Sec. 4. Section 10a-143 of the general statutes is amended by adding subsections (h) and (i) as follows (Effective July 1, 2016):
(NEW) (h) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall waive the payment of course enrollment fees at Charter Oak State College (1) subject to the provisions of subsection (i) of this section, for any veteran who performed service in time of war, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, who has been accepted for admission to Charter Oak State College and is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission to said institution, except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, and (2) for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or the Adjutant General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or accepted for admission to Charter Oak State College on a full-time or part-time basis in a degree-granting program. If any person who receives a course enrollment fee waiver in accordance with the provisions of this subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such educational reimbursement. Veterans and members of the Connecticut National Guard described in this subsection shall be given the same status as students not receiving course enrollment fee waivers in registering for courses at Charter Oak State College. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in this state" includes domiciled for less than one year.
(NEW) (i) (1) If any veteran described in subsection (h) of this section has applied for federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the Board of Regents for Higher Education shall waive the payment of course enrollment fees at Charter Oak State College for such veteran in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection. If any such veteran certifies to said board that such veteran's application for such federal educational assistance has been denied or withdrawn, said board shall waive the payment of course enrollment fees in accordance with subsection (h) of this section.
(2) (A) For purposes of this subdivision, "veteran tuition benefit" means the portion of federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 to be paid to Charter Oak State College on behalf of a veteran that represents payment for course enrollment fees. Such portion shall be calculated by multiplying (i) the total amount of federal educational assistance to be paid to Charter Oak State College on behalf of such veteran by (ii) an amount obtained by dividing (I) the actual course enrollment fees charged by Charter Oak State College to such veteran by (II) the sum of the actual course enrollment fees and other fees charged by Charter Oak State College to such veteran.
(B) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall waive the payment of course enrollment fees in excess of the veteran tuition benefit at Charter Oak State College for such veteran.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
July 1, 2016 |
10a-77(d) to (g) |
Sec. 2 |
July 1, 2016 |
10a-99(d) to (g) |
Sec. 3 |
July 1, 2016 |
10a-105(e) to (h) |
Sec. 4 |
July 1, 2016 |
10a-143 |
VA |
Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO |
|
FIN |
Joint Favorable |