SECTIONS 981-981.8 - California Statutes

MILITARY AND VETERANS CODE

SECTION 981-981.8

981. There is in the state government an educational institution
known as the California Veterans' Educational Institute, which is
under the management and control of the Department of Veterans
Affairs. The purpose of the institute is to provide opportunities for
veterans to continue their education.

981.1. Any veteran who desires to continue his education may apply
for admission to the institute and if, in the opinion of the
department, the educational needs and desires of the veteran can be
satisfactorily met, the department shall assume state wardship and
supervision over the education of such veteran. The department may
provide for such education in educational institutions in this State,
or in other states, or in other countries, when necessary or
desirable for postgraduate or professional college courses. The
department may provide educational counsel for students and assist
them in securing admission to suitable institutions of learning in
either public or private school field. The department may assist any
eligible veteran who may apply for a short intensive postgraduate or
training or refresher course in any professional field where the
purposes of such course are to prepare the veteran for a state
examination which he must pass as a prerequisite to practice his
profession in the State of Calfornia or where said course or courses
will acquaint the veteran in professional techniques developed in
private practice during the time that he was in the service.

981.15. "Suitable institutions of learning," as used in this
article, includes postgraduate schools of colleges, universities, or
other institutions of learning, but does not include educational
institutions whose enrollment of students receiving federal or state
veteran subsidy exceeds 85 percent of their total enrollment.

981.2. The department, insofar as the funds permit, may provide an
allowance of one hundred dollars ($100) for each month the student is
in satisfactory and actual full-time attendance at an educational
institution, and pursuing a course of study leading to a bachelor of
arts or bachelor of science degree, or to a recognized degree,
license, certificate, or diploma.
For purposes of this section the term "full-time attendance" shall
be defined in the same manner as it is defined by the educational
institution attended by the student. For purposes of this section,
"educational institution" shall be defined as any school or college
of the collegiate level accredited by the Western Association of
Schools and Colleges, including a community college, and shall
include a vocational school or any other school approved by the State
Department of Education for the purpose of receipt by a student of
educational benefits afforded by the Veterans Administration.
The department may provide for such educational benefits for
full-time students pursuing a course of study leading to a recognized
postgraduate or professional degree, license, certificate, or
diploma in educational institutions in other states or in other
countries when such course of study is otherwise unavailable to the
student.

981.3. The amount expended on account of any one veteran under the
provisions of this article shall not exceed one thousand two hundred
dollars ($1,200). Eligibility for benefits conferred under this
article shall not be granted if either the student has not exhausted
his rights to eductional benefits afforded by the Veterans
Administration, or four years have elapsed from termination of
educational benefits afforded by the Veterans Administration.

981.4. The department shall consider the application of veterans
for admission to the institute in the order in which they are
received. If the funds available are insufficient to meet the
obligations which would arise from the guardianship of all worthy
applicants, the department shall assume wardship over such veterans
as are most urgently in need of further education.

981.5. The department may co-operate and confer with authorized
agencies of the United States in carrying out the provisions of this
article.

981.6. No veteran who is receiving federal educational benefits
shall be eligible to receive the educational benefits provided by
this article during such time that he is receiving federal
educational benefits.

981.7. Nothing in this article shall be construed as repealing the
provisions of Chapter 579, Statutes of 1921, appropriating money for
educational assistance to veterans.

981.8. (a) The Office of the Adjutant General is requested to
annually make both of the following available to each member of the
California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, and the Naval
Militia who does not have a baccalaureate degree:
(1) A copy of the enrollment fee waiver application of the Board
of Governors of the California Community Colleges.
(2) A copy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA).
(b) The Office of the Adjutant General is requested to provide
assistance as necessary to help the members complete the forms made
available to them under subdivision (a).
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2012, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute
that is enacted before January 1, 2012, deletes or extends that
date.