The proposed bill amends the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 18B-10-7e, which establishes tuition and fee waivers for military veterans, their spouses, and dependents at state institutions of higher education. The bill defines key terms such as "eligible veteran," "eligible spouse," and "eligible dependent," specifying that an eligible veteran must have a disability rating of at least 50% according to the Veterans Administration Schedule for Rating Disabilities. It also clarifies that state institutions of higher education are required to provide waivers under certain conditions.

To qualify for the tuition and fee waivers, eligible veterans, spouses, or dependents must apply and be accepted into an associate or bachelor's program and seek other forms of financial assistance, excluding student loans, in accordance with federal financial aid regulations. The waivers can only be utilized after all other dedicated financial aid sources are exhausted, and recipients must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 to renew the waiver.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18B-10-7e
Committee Substitute: 18B-10-7e