Changes to Existing Law

Any person residing in this state who is a veteran as defined by §§ 33A-2-1 and5 33A-2-2 or who performed active war service, such as nursing or assisting in the care of soldiers6 and sailors in any government hospital, field, or camp, as a member of the Red Cross or any7 other similar organization engaged in war relief work which has been recognized and approved8 by the government of the United States, during any of the periods or combat operations specified9 in § 33A-2-2, upon compliance with all the requirements for admission and after qualifying for10 resident tuition, may attend and pursue any undergraduate course in any state educational11 institution under the control and management of the Board of Regents or any course at a postsecondary technical institute as defined in § 13-39A-1 without the payment of charges for13 100 copies were printed on recycled paper by the South DakotaLegislative Research Council at a cost of $.167 per page.v Insertions into existing statutes are indicated by underscores.Deletions from existing statutes are indicated by overstrikes. - 2 -HB 1171 tuition for each month of qualified service or major fraction thereof a month in academic time. However, no eligible veteran is entitled to less than one nor more than four academic years of2 free tuition pursuant to this section. Residence at the time of entry into military service or active3 war service does not affect eligibility for the entitlement created in this section. Any person who4 qualifies under § 33A-2-2 as a veteran based solely on a service-connected disability may5 receive free tuition under this section only if the veterans administration disability rating is ten6 percent or greater. No tuition benefit may be provided by the State of South Dakota under this section unless and until the applicant has applied all federal tuition benefits. Before receiving funds from the state for the tuition of any eligible applicant under this section, the Board of Regents or postsecondary technical institute shall verify that all federal tuition benefits have been exhausted.12