Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1297
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 21-13-12.
Synopsis: Reservist tuition supplement program. Establishes the
reservist tuition supplement program (program) and reservist tuition
supplement program fund (fund). Requires the commission for higher
education to administer the program and fund. Provides that money in
the fund is continuously appropriated.
Effective: July 1, 2024.
Speedy, Judy
January 10, 2024, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.
2024 IN 1297—LS 6907/DI 154 Introduced
Second Regular Session of the 123rd General Assembly (2024)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
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Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
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word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1297
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
higher education and to make an appropriation.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 21-13-12 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
2 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2024]:
4 Chapter 12. Reservist Tuition Supplement Program
5 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "approved CLEP test" means a
6 College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) test funded through
7 the United States Department of Defense's Defense Activity for
8 Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program.
9 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the reservist
10 tuition supplement program fund established by section 7 of this
11 chapter.
12 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to the reservist
13 tuition supplement program established by section 5 of this
14 chapter.
15 Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "reservist" means an individual
16 who:
17 (1) serves in a reserve component of the armed forces of the
2024 IN 1297—LS 6907/DI 154 2
1 United States; and
2 (2) has not previously served in a component of the armed
3 forces of the United States.
4 Sec. 5. The reservist tuition supplement program is established
5 to provide tuition scholarships to eligible applicants. The
6 commission shall administer the program.
7 Sec. 6. To be eligible for a tuition scholarship under this
8 chapter, an applicant must:
9 (1) be a reservist;
10 (2) be a resident of Indiana;
11 (3) intend to pursue or, in the case of an applicant who is
12 already attending a state educational institution, be pursuing
13 an associate degree or a baccalaureate degree; and
14 (4) meet any other eligibility criteria established by the
15 commission.
16 Sec. 7. (a) The reservist tuition supplement program fund is
17 established to provide tuition scholarships to eligible applicants
18 under the program.
19 (b) The fund shall be administered by the commission.
20 (c) The fund consists of the following:
21 (1) Money appropriated to the fund by the general assembly.
22 (2) Donations, gifts, and money received from any other
23 source, including transfers from other funds or accounts.
24 (3) Funds appropriated by the general assembly that can be
25 transferred within the higher education budget if all funds in
26 the higher education budget account are not expended for
27 their original intent.
28 (d) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not
29 revert to the state general fund but remains available to be used for
30 providing money for tuition scholarships under this chapter.
31 (e) Money in the fund is continuously appropriated to carry out
32 the purposes of the fund.
33 Sec. 8. Money in the fund shall be used to provide annual tuition
34 scholarships to eligible applicants in an amount, subject to section
35 10(b) of this chapter, that is equal to one (1) of the following:
36 (1) If the eligible applicant does not receive other financial
37 assistance specifically designated for educational costs, an
38 amount equal to the cost of full tuition to attend the state
39 educational institution for the academic year.
40 (2) If the eligible applicant receives other financial assistance
41 specifically designated for educational costs, an amount that:
42 (A) is equal to the remaining balance required to attend
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1 the state educational institution for the academic year after
2 applying the other financial assistance; and
3 (B) does not exceed the amount described in subdivision
4 (1).
5 Sec. 9. (a) Subject to subsection (b), a tuition scholarship
6 awarded to an eligible applicant may be renewed under this
7 chapter for a total tuition scholarship award to the eligible
8 applicant that does not exceed one hundred twenty-eight (128)
9 undergraduate credit hours.
10 (b) A tuition scholarship awarded to an individual under this
11 chapter may not be renewed if the individual fails to maintain at
12 least a cumulative grade point average that the state educational
13 institution determines is satisfactory.
14 Sec. 10. (a) An eligible applicant who elects to take a
15 College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) test must register for
16 an approved CLEP test.
17 (b) A tuition scholarship awarded to an eligible applicant under
18 this chapter shall be reduced based upon the number of college
19 credits awarded to the applicant as a result of the applicant's
20 successful completion of an approved CLEP test.
2024 IN 1297—LS 6907/DI 154