Active-Duty Military Benefits

Staututory Modifications

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2005

|§ 116-143.3. Tuition of armed services personnel and their dependents.

(a) Definitions
The following definitions apply in this section:

1. 1. The term “abode” shall mean the place where a person actually lives, whether temporarily or permanently;
   2. The term “abide” shall mean to live in a given place.
   3. The term “armed services” shall mean the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy; the North Carolina National Guard; and any Reserve Component of the foregoing.
   4. The term “tuition assistance” shall be used as defined in the United States Department of Defense Directive 1322.8, implementing 10 U.S.C. |§ 2007.

(b) Any active duty member of the armed services qualifying for admission to an institution of higher education as defined in G.S. 116-143.1(a)(3) but not qualifying as a resident for tuition purposes under G.S. 116-143.1 shall be charged the in-State tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees for enrollments while the member of the armed services is abiding in this State incident to active military duty in this State.

• • In the event the active duty member of the armed services is reassigned outside of North Carolina or retires, the member shall continue to be eligible for the in-State tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees so long as the member is continuously enrolled in the degree or other program in which the member was enrolled at the time the member is reassigned.
  • In the event the active duty member of the armed services receives an Honorable Discharge from military service, the member shall continue to be eligible for the in-State tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees so long as the member establishes residency in North Carolina within 30 days after the discharge and is continuously enrolled in the degree or other program in which the member was enrolled at the time the member is discharged. (b1) (b2) Repealed by Session Laws 2004-130, s. 1, effective August 1, 2004.

(c) Any dependent relative of a member of the armed services who is abiding in this State incident to active military duty, as defined by the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina and by the State Board of Community Colleges while sharing the abode of that member shall be eligible to be charged the in-State tuition rate, if the dependent relative qualifies for admission to an institution of higher education as defined in G.S. 116-143.1(a)(3).

The dependent relatives shall comply with the requirements of the Selective Service System, if applicable, in order to be accorded this benefit. In the event the member of the armed services is reassigned outside of North Carolina or retires, the dependent relative shall continue to be eligible for the in-State tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees so long as the dependent relative is continuously enrolled in the degree or other program in which the dependent relative was enrolled at the time the member is reassigned or retires.

• • In the event the member of the armed services receives an Honorable Discharge from military service, the dependent relative shall continue to be eligible for the in-State tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees so long as the dependent relative establishes residency within North Carolina within 30 days after the discharge and is continuously enrolled in the degree or other program in which the dependent relative was enrolled at the time the member is discharged.

(d) The burden of proving entitlement to the benefit of this section shall lie with the applicant therefore.

(e) A person charged less than the out-of-state tuition rate solely by reason of this section shall not, during the period of receiving that benefit, qualify for or be the basis of conferring the benefit of G.S. 116-143.1(g), (h), (i), (j), (k), or (1).”

Applications

•  Residency Status Supplemental Form for Members of the Armed Services and Their Dependent Relatives
•  Veterans Choice Act

Filing Deadline

The completed application form, along with all required affidavits, must be received by your admissions office before the first day of classes of your first term of enrollment.  This is an absolute deadline, and it cannot be waived.

Basic Requirements for Active-Duty Members of the Armed Services

To be eligible for the Military Tuition Benefit as a member of the armed services, you must:

• • Be a member of the US Air Force, US Army, US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps, US Navy, North Carolina National Guard, or a member of a reserve component of one of these services.
  • Be on active duty, and be stationed on permanent status in NC.

Note:   Members of reserve components are not eligible for the Benefit unless they have been called up for active duty, except North Carolina National Guard members on reserve status.

Required Affidavit

Beforesubmitting your completed Military Tuition Benefit application, you must attach the following affidavit from an appropriate military authority:

1. 1. An affidavit attesting to your duty status, PCS orders, and location (a copy of your military orders will not satisfy this requirement).

Note:   Appropriate military authorities include commanding officers, payroll office administrators, base education officers, and similar authorities.  You cannot sign the affidavit.

Basic Requirements for Military Dependents

To qualify for the Military Tuition Benefit as a military dependent, you must:

• • Be the military dependent of a member of the armed services who is stationed in North Carolina (PCS orders) on active duty.
  • Be living with that service member.
  • Be registered with the Selective Service System, if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 26.

Amount and Duration of the Benefit for Active-Duty Military Dependents

Military dependents who qualify for the Military Tuition Benefit pay the in-state tuition rate.

If you have been ruled eligible for the Benefit and the service member through whom you qualify is transferred out of North Carolina during that academic year, you will continue to get the Benefit if you are continually enrolled.

Required Affidavit

Before submitting your completed Military Tuition Benefit application, you must attach an affidavit from the appropriate military authority that:

• • Says you are the military dependent of a service member. (If the affidavit does not say “military dependent” it is unacceptable.)
  • Gives the name of the service member.
  • Says that the service member through whom you claim the Benefit is on active duty stationed in North Carolina on PCS.

Note:  The affidavit must be signed by an “appropriate military authority.” This includes commanding officers, payroll office administrators, and base education officers.

Important: You cannot sign the affidavit, and the service member through whom you claim the Benefit cannot sign the affidavit.

Special Admission Benefit for New Applicants

If you are attending a North Carolina high school when you apply for admission to UNC-CH, and if you are eligible for the Military Tuition Benefit, you will be considered a resident for admissions purposes.

Get in touch with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Amount of the Benefit for Active-Duty Military Dependents

Members per above who qualify for the military tuition benefit will pay the in-state tuition rate and all mandatory fees.

If the service member transferred out of North Carolina, but continues his/her enrollment status, he/she will continue to pay the in-state tuition rate (see statute for complete text).