173.239. National guard member educational assistance grant, qualifications--limits--administration. - Missouri Statutes

National guard member educational assistance grant,qualifications--limits--administration.

173.239. 1. Any member of the Missouri national guard who possessesthe qualifications set forth in this section may be awarded an educationalassistance grant to an approved public institution or an approved privateinstitution, as those terms are defined in either section 173.205 orsection 173.778, of his or her choice while he or she is a member of theMissouri national guard. Funding for educational assistance pursuant tothis section may be requested annually in the budget of the Missourinational guard. Educational assistance provided pursuant to this sectionshall not exceed funds appropriated for that purpose.

2. Educational assistance provided under this section shall notexceed the least of the following:

(1) The actual tuition, as defined in section 173.260, charged at anapproved institution where the individual is enrolled or accepted forenrollment; or

(2) The amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident at theUniversity of Missouri for attendance;

(3) The grants provided under this section may be prorated subject toappropriations in an amount no less than fifty percent of the limits setforth in this section.

3. A member of the Missouri national guard seeking educationalassistance pursuant to this section shall provide a certificate ofsatisfactory service of his or her Missouri national guard duties from hisor her commanding officer and shall possess all other necessary entrancerequirements of the school of his or her choice and shall maintain acumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least two point five on a fourpoint scale, or the equivalent on another scale approved by the programadministrator, while attending the approved public or private institution.

4. If the grade point average of a member who is receivingeducational assistance pursuant to this section falls below two point fiveon a four point scale, or the equivalent on another scale, such membershall retain the educational assistance and shall be placed on probationunder the educational assistance program. Failure to achieve a currentgrade point average of at least two point five on a four point scale or theequivalent on another scale for future semesters or equivalent academicterms shall result in termination of the scholarship effective as of thenext academic term. The member shall be removed from probation status uponachieving a cumulative grade point average of two point five on a fourpoint scale or the equivalent on another scale.

5. If a recipient of educational assistance pursuant to this sectionceases to maintain their active military affiliation while enrolled in anacademic semester or term for any reason except death, disability, ormedical disqualification the educational assistance shall be terminated andthe recipient shall repay any amounts awarded for the academic semester orterm.

6. Applicants for educational assistance pursuant to this sectionshall meet the qualifications established by section 173.215, except theprovisions of subdivisions (2) and (4) of subsection 1 of section 173.215,and shall be qualified, full-time or part-time students.

7. The educational assistance program established pursuant to thissection shall be administered by the office of the adjutant general of theMissouri national guard. The Missouri national guard shall establishguidelines for equitable administrative distribution of educationalassistance.

(L. 1994 S.B. 583 § 1, A.L. 1995 S.B. 385, A.L. 1998 H.B. 1519 & 1165, A.L. 2000 S.B. 961, A.L. 2005 H.B. 437, A.L. 2006 S.B. 701 & 948)

CROSS REFERENCE:

Missouri national guard trust fund, disbursements for scholarships, when, RSMo 41.214