§ 30-3-40.3 - Educational benefits for National Guard members.
SECTION 30-3-40.3
§ 30-3-40.3 Educational benefits forNational Guard members. – (a) Any person who is an active member in good standing of the Rhode IslandNational Guard, and who is eligible to attend at any state college oruniversity in Rhode Island, will be eligible for a tuition assistanceeducational benefit amounting to five (5) courses per semester at any RhodeIsland state college or university. Basic tuition or general fee charges to bewaived for said five (5) courses. Each of the state colleges or universitiesshall receive an equal share of the educational account funding for RhodeIsland National Guard members, the account to be administered by the office ofthe adjutant general. The exact amount for each institution shall be determinedby the board of governors. The total amount of funds in the education accountshall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in any fiscal year.
(b) In order to be eligible for tuition waivers a person mustremain a member in good standing in the Rhode Island National Guard and astudent in good standing at any state college or university. A member in goodstanding is defined as any soldier or airperson of the Rhode Island NationalGuard who is currently satisfactorily participating in all unit trainingassemblies and annual training periods, as so certified by the adjutant general.
(c) Those guard members wishing to participate in thisprogram must enter into a contractual enlistment commitment which provides forone year of obligated service in the Rhode Island National Guard for eachtwelve (12) course credits or four (4) three (3) credit courses where thesoldiers' or airpersons' tuition will be waived. Such assistance shall beavailable for courses creditable to associate, bachelor's, or master's degrees.Failure to satisfactorily fulfill the service obligation incurred in return fortuition assistance will require the participant to repay a pro-rata share ofsaid assistance. This obligation shall be considered to be a debt owed to thestate and may be satisfied by offset against any state transfer payments orstate income tax refunds. The participating member shall reimburse the RhodeIsland National Guard when any of the following occur: the soldier fails toparticipate satisfactorily as a member of the Rhode Island National Guard; thesoldier withdraws from or fails to complete a course for personal reasons; thesoldier fails to make up an incomplete grade within time limits stipulated bythe institution or one hundred twenty (120) days after the completion of theclass, whichever occurs first, or the soldier fails to provide the adjutantgeneral a copy of the grade report within thirty (30) days of course completionand may be subject to punishment under the Rhode Island Military Code.