Bill H.68 proposes to expand the Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program to include members seeking graduate degrees or second baccalaureate degrees, contingent upon meeting 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 insertions include the requirement for members pursuing graduate degrees to agree to a promissory note that obligates them to work full-time in Vermont or actively seek employment in the state after graduation, as well as the stipulation that individuals may pursue a graduate degree even if they have previously received 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 work requirement after earning a graduate degree. It also specifies that the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) will administer the tuition benefits, which will be funded through appropriations by the General Assembly. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 16-2857