Existing law requires the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada to grant a waiver of registration fees, laboratory fees and other mandatory fees assessed each semester for a Native American student who demonstrates that the student: (1) is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or nation, all or part of which is located in this State, or who is certified by the enrollment department of such a tribe or nation or by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as being a descendant of an enrolled member of the tribe or nation, regardless of membership status; (2) is eligible for enrollment in a school within the Nevada System of Higher Education; (3) has been a resident of this State for at least 1 year; (4) has maintained at least a 2.0 grade point average, on a 4.0 scale, each semester, or the equivalent of a 2.0 grade point average if a different scale is used; and (5) has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (NRS 396.5449) Section 1.3 of this bill: (1) allows a student who is a member or descendant of an Indian tribe or nation located outside of this State and who meets all other requirements to receive such a waiver; and (2) revises the residency requirement to include students who are bona fide residents of this State, who are members or descendants of Indian tribes or nations located at least partially in this State or who have resided on qualified tribal land for at least 1 year. Existing law requires the waiver to be granted to a student who enrolls in any program offered by a school within the System, including, without limitation, a trade or vocational program, a graduate program or a professional program. (NRS 396.5449) Existing law provides that a pupil enrolled in high school may earn college credit for a dual credit course taken while in high school and apply the credit received for such a course to the total number of credits required for graduation from his or her high school. (NRS 389.160) Section 1.3: (1) clarifies that the waiver applies to any course or program, whether for a degree or not, offered during any academic period; and (2) requires the waiver to be granted to an eligible student who enrolls in a dual credit course offered by a school within the System. Existing law requires the amount of the waiver to be limited based on the federal education benefits to which a student is entitled during a semester. (NRS 396.5449) Section 1.3 removes this requirement and instead requires the amount of the waiver to equal the full amount of the registration fees, laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees assessed against the student for that semester. Existing law prohibits the Board of Regents from assessing tuition charges against certain students. (NRS 396.540, 396.5449) Section 1 of this bill makes a conforming change to reflect the prohibition against the Board of Regents assessing tuition charges against students who have been granted the waiver. Section 1.7 of this bill makes an appropriation to the System to defray the cost of granting the waiver.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 396.5449
Reprint 1: 396.540, 396.5449
Reprint 2: 396.540, 396.5449
As Enrolled: 396.540, 396.5449
BDR: 396.5449