CHAPTER 10. TUITION AND FEE EXEMPTION FOR PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS

IC 21-14-10
     Chapter 10. Tuition and Fee Exemption for Purple Heart Recipients

IC 21-14-10-1
Applicability
    
Sec. 1. This chapter applies to a person who:
        (1) enters active duty service from a permanent home address in Indiana;
        (2) receives an honorable discharge;
        (3) receives the Purple Heart decoration for service described in subdivision (1);
        (4) is eligible to pay the resident tuition rate at the state educational institution the person will attend as determined by the institution; and
        (5) possesses the requisite academic qualifications.
As added by P.L.141-2008, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.102-2009, SEC.1.

IC 21-14-10-2
Eligibility
    
Sec. 2. (a) Subject to subsection (b), an eligible applicant is entitled to enter, remain, and receive instruction in a state educational institution upon the same conditions, qualifications, and regulations prescribed for other applicants for admission to or scholars in the state educational institution, without the payment of any educational costs for one hundred twenty-four (124) semester credit hours in the state educational institution.
    (b) The maximum amount that an eligible applicant is exempt from paying for a semester hour is an amount equal to the cost of an undergraduate semester credit hour at the state educational institution in which the eligible applicant enrolls.
As added by P.L.141-2008, SEC.4.

IC 21-14-10-3
Mandatory fees
    
Sec. 3. For purposes of this chapter, the commission for higher education, in consultation with the state student assistance commission, shall define mandatory fees that qualify as educational costs.
As added by P.L.141-2008, SEC.4.

IC 21-14-10-4
Payment of incidental expenses
    
Sec. 4. If an eligible applicant:
        (1) is permitted to matriculate in a state educational institution;
        (2) qualifies under this chapter; and
        (3) has earned or has been awarded a cash scholarship that is paid or payable to the state educational institution, from any source; the amount paid shall be applied to the credit of the eligible applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of the eligible applicant's attendance at the state educational institution. The balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, must be returned to the eligible applicant.
As added by P.L.141-2008, SEC.4.

IC 21-14-10-5
Determination of eligibility
    
Sec. 5. Determination of eligibility for higher education benefits authorized under this chapter is vested exclusively in the Indiana department of veterans' affairs. Any applicant for benefits under this chapter may make a written request for a determination of eligibility by the Indiana department of veterans' affairs. The director or deputy director of the Indiana department of veterans' affairs shall make a written determination of eligibility in response to each request. In determining the amount of an eligible applicant's benefit, the state student assistance commission shall consider other higher education financial assistance in conformity with this chapter.
As added by P.L.141-2008, SEC.4.

IC 21-14-10-6
Appeals
    
Sec. 6. An appeal from an adverse determination under section 5 of this chapter must be made in writing to the veterans' affairs commission not more than fifteen (15) working days following the applicant's receipt of the determination. A final order must be made by a simple majority of the veterans' affairs commission not more than fifteen (15) days following receipt of the written appeal.
As added by P.L.141-2008, SEC.4.

IC 21-14-10-7
Violation
    
Sec. 7. A person who knowingly or intentionally submits a false or misleading application or other document under this chapter commits a Class A misdemeanor.
As added by P.L.141-2008, SEC.4.

IC 21-14-10-8
Amount of benefits
    
Sec. 8. The amount of the benefits under this chapter is equal to one (1) of the following:
        (1) If the eligible applicant does not receive financial assistance specifically designated for educational costs, the amount determined under sections 2 through 6 of this chapter.
        (2) If the eligible applicant receives financial assistance specifically designated for educational costs:
            (A) the amount determined under sections 2 through 6 of this chapter; minus
            (B) the financial assistance specifically designated for

educational costs.
As added by P.L.141-2008, SEC.4.