Legislation
SB 80 amends South Dakota law 13-53-29.1 providing veterans who served on active duty for no less than 90 days and who were honorably discharged classification as a resident student without meeting the 12 month residency requirement.
South Dakota Tuition for Veterans:
Eligible veterans can take undergraduate courses at a state university without the payment of tuition, provided they are not eligible for educational payments under the GI Bill or any other federal educational program.
Eligibility: Veteran must be discharged under Honorable conditions and a current resident of South Dakota and qualify for in-state tuition, and able to meet one of the following criteria: Served on active duty at any time between August 2, 1990 and March 3, 1991. Received an Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, Southwest Asia Service medal, or other United States campaign or service medal for participation in combat operations against hostile forces outside the boundaries of the United States or have a service connected disability rated 10%, or more, disabling.
South Dakota Reduced Tuition for South Dakota National Guard members:
National Guard members, who meet the requirements for admission, are eligible for a fifty percent (50%) reduction in undergraduate tuition charges at any state supported school for up to a maximum of four academic years OR, one program of study, approved by the state Board of Education, at any state vocational school upon payment of fifty percent (50%) of the tuition charges. The receipt of federal educational benefits does not affect eligibility for this program.
Eligibility: To qualify the National Guard member must be a resident of this state and a member of the South Dakota Army or Air Guard throughout each semester or vocational program for which he or she applies for benefits, have completed required active duty for training, attend 90% of drills and training periods and maintain a satisfactory academic grade level and provide proper notice to the institution at time of registration for the term in which benefits are sought.
South Dakota Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Phone: 605-773-3648
Fax: 605-773-5380
Sources: Student Veterans of America, American Legion