Bill H.68 proposes to expand the Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program to include members seeking graduate degrees or second baccalaureate degrees, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria. The bill amends current law to allow for tuition benefits for these additional educational pursuits, while maintaining existing provisions for undergraduate education. Key changes include the insertion of new eligibility requirements, such as the necessity for members pursuing graduate degrees to agree to full-time employment in Vermont or actively seek employment after graduation, as well as the ability for individuals to pursue graduate degrees even if they have previously received funding for an undergraduate degree under the program.

Additionally, the bill outlines the conditions under which tuition benefits may be terminated, including failure to meet the new employment requirement after earning a graduate degree. The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) will administer the tuition benefits, which will be contingent upon the member's service commitment to the Vermont National Guard. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes provisions for annual reporting on the program's performance and participation.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 16-2857