A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO waive the twelve‑month residency requirement and charge the in‑state tuition rate for VETERANS who receive certain federal educational benefits, their spouses, and their dependent relatives who are the recipients of certain federal educational benefits and to waive the twelve‑month residency requirement and charge the in‑state tuition rate for certain other veterans.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 14 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes is amended by adding the following new sections to read:
"§ 116‑143.3A.  Waiver of 12‑month residency requirement for veterans receiving certain federal educational benefits and their spouses and dependent relatives.
(a)	Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:
(1)	Abode. – Has the same meaning as in G.S. 116‑143.3(a)(1).
(2)	Armed Forces. – Has the same meaning as in G.S. 116‑143.3(a)(2).
(3)	Veteran. – A person who served active duty for not less than 90 days in the Armed Forces, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and who was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable.
(b)	Waiver of 12‑Month Residency Requirement for Veteran Receiving Certain Federal Educational Benefits. – Any veteran who qualifies for admission to an institution of higher education as defined in G.S. 116‑143.1(a)(3) is eligible to be charged the in‑State tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees for enrollment without satisfying the 12‑month residency requirement under G.S. 116‑143.1, provided the veteran meets all of the following criteria:
(1)	The veteran applies for admission to the institution of higher education and enrolls within three years of the veteran's discharge or release from the Armed Forces, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(2)	The veteran qualifies for and uses educational benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill Active Duty Education Assistance Program) or 38 U.S.C. Chapter 33 (Post‑9/11 Educational Assistance).
(3)	The veteran's abode is in North Carolina.
(4)	The veteran provides the institution of higher education at which the veteran intends to enroll a letter of intent to establish residence in North Carolina.
(c)	Eligibility of Veteran's Spouse and Dependent Relatives Who Are Recipients of Transferred Federal Educational Benefits. – Any person who is the spouse or a dependent relative of a veteran is also eligible to be charged the in‑State tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees for enrollment without satisfying the 12‑month residency requirement under G.S. 116‑143.1, if the person meets all of the following criteria:
(1)	The person qualifies for admission to the institution of higher education as defined in G.S. 116‑143.1(a)(3) and enrolls in the institution of higher education within three years of the veteran's discharge or release from the Armed Forces, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(2)	The person is the recipient of transferred federal educational benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill Active Duty Education Assistance Program) or 38 U.S.C. Chapter 33 (Post‑9/11 Educational Assistance).
(3)	The person's abode is in North Carolina.
(4)	The person provides the institution of higher education at which the person intends to enroll a letter of intent to establish residence in North Carolina.
(d)	Eligibility While Continuously Enrolled at the Same Institution of Higher Education. – After enrollment in an institution of higher education, any veteran, spouse, or dependent relative of any veteran who is eligible for in‑State tuition under this section shall continue to be eligible for the in‑State tuition rate so long as the covered individual remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, quarters, terms, or semesters) at that institution of higher education.
"§ 116‑143.3B.  Waiver of 12‑month residency requirement for certain veterans without certain federal educational benefits.
(a)	Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:
(1)	Abode. – Has the same meaning as in G.S. 116‑143.3(a)(1).
(2)	Armed Forces. – Has the same meaning as in G.S. 116‑143.3(a)(2).
(3)	Veteran. – Has the same meaning as in G.S. 116‑143.3A(a)(3).
(b)	Waiver of 12‑Month Residency Requirement for Veteran Who Do Not Qualify for Certain Federal Educational Benefits. – Any veteran who qualifies for admission to an institution of higher education as defined in G.S. 116‑143.1(a)(3) is eligible to be charged the in‑State tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees for enrollment without satisfying the 12‑month residency requirement under G.S. 116‑143.1, provided the veteran meets all of the following criteria:
(1)	The veteran does not qualify for educational benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill Active Duty Education Assistance Program) or 38 U.S.C. Chapter 33 (Post‑9/11 Educational Assistance).
(2)	The veteran qualifies for admission to an institution of higher education as defined in G.S. 116‑143.1(a)(3) and enrolls in the institution of higher education within three years of the veteran's discharge or release from the Armed Forces, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(3)	The veteran's last permanent duty station was in North Carolina.
(4)	The veteran's abode is in North Carolina.
(5)	The veteran provides the institution of higher education at which the veteran intends to enroll a letter of intent to establish residence in North Carolina.
(c)	Eligibility While Continuously Enrolled at the Same Institution of Higher Education. – After enrollment in an institution of higher education, any veteran who is eligible for in‑State tuition under this section shall continue to be eligible for the in‑State tuition rate so long as the veteran remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, quarters, terms, or semesters) at that institution of higher education."
SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2015. This act applies to qualified veterans, their spouses and dependent relatives as defined by G.S. 116‑143.3A, as enacted by this act, who are enrolled or who enroll in institutions of higher education for any academic quarter, term, or semester that begins on or after that date. This act also applies to veterans as defined by G.S. 116‑143.3B, as enacted by this act, who are enrolled or who enroll in institutions of higher education for any academic quarter, term, or semester that begins on or after that date.