Bill > SB2413

This bill establishes the "Disabled Veteran and Dependents Patriot Scholarship Program" in Mississippi, which will provide tuition and fee waivers for eligible disabled veterans and their dependents to attend state universities and colleges. The program defines "dependent" as a child, stepchild, spouse, or un-remarried widow(er), and "tuition" as the actual cost of education, including fees and books, up to the highest cost at any public Mississippi institution. Eligibility for veterans is based on specific service-connected disability conditions, including being a former prisoner of war (POW), missing in action (MIA), having a disability rating of 40% or more, or having died as a result of a service-connected disability or on active duty. The bill outlines residency requirements for veterans and introduces provisions for those with lower disability ratings or pending claims, with some expiring in 2032. It also details academic requirements for students, such as maintaining residency, completing financial aid applications, and meeting academic progress standards. Children and stepchildren can receive up to five academic years of benefits, while spouses or un-remarried widow(er)s of 100% disabled veterans also receive five years, and those with 40-90% disability ratings receive three years. Beginning July 1, 2026, tuition will be capped at the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Cap, with a combined limit of $2,000 for textbooks and applicable fees per semester. The Adjutant General will administer the program, establishing policies and submitting budget requests to the Legislature. Additionally, this bill amends an existing law concerning scholarships for children of POWs or MIAs in Southeast Asia to align its administration with the new Disabled Veteran and Dependents Patriot Scholarship Program.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2413.xml