Pennsylvania § 3202 - Eligibility.

§ 3202. Eligibility.

(a) General rule.--A member of the Pennsylvania National Guard is eligible to receive an educational assistance grant under this subchapter if the member meets all of the following eligibility criteria:

(1) (Deleted by amendment).

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) and section 3206(b) (relating to limitations), the member is a member in good standing and has been a satisfactory participant in Pennsylvania National Guard activities for a minimum service period established by the Adjutant General.

(3) The member has enrolled as a student in an approved program of education at an approved institution of higher learning.

(b) Additional eligibility criteria for full-time educational assistance grants.--In addition to the eligibility criteria specified in subsection (a), an eligible member must meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify for a full-time educational assistance grant:

(1) (Deleted by amendment).

(2) The member accepts an obligation to serve in the Pennsylvania National Guard for a period of six years and has not accepted an obligation under Subch. A.1 (relating to Military Family Education Program) for the same six-year period.

(3) The member has enrolled as a full-time student in an approved program of education at an approved institution of higher learning.

(4) The member is not receiving a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarship, excluding a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship.

(c) Discharge for disability incurred in the line of duty.--(Deleted by amendment).

(c.1) Successive certificate.--Upon completion of a six-year obligation for which an eligible member received an educational assistance grant certificate of eligibility, an eligible member may receive successive educational assistance grant certificates of eligibility for a successive six-year commitment.

(d) Retention of benefit.--A member who receives an other than dishonorable discharge before completing their six-year service obligation shall remain eligible for the earned proportional share of an educational assistance grant under this subchapter if the member meets all eligibility requirements outlined in subsections (a) and (b), except for continued membership in the Pennsylvania National Guard. The former member must begin a course of study within two years of their discharge, with the program scheduled to be completed no later than six years after the date of discharge, and must also meet one of the following additional eligibility conditions:

(1) the member was discharged because of a medical determination that was not the result of the eligible member's misconduct;

(2) the member was discharged at the convenience of the department or the Pennsylvania National Guard; or

(3) the existence of other compelling circumstances determined by the Adjutant General that warrant retention of the proportional or full benefit or additional time to complete a course of study.

(May 10, 2000, P.L.36, No.11, eff. July 1, 2000; May 11, 2006, P.L.175, No.44, eff. imd.; June 26, 2014, P.L.791, No.78, eff. July 1, 2014; July 1, 2019, P.L.233, No.32, eff. imd.; July 7, 2025, P.L.108, No.32, eff. 60 days)

2025 Amendment. Section 5 of Act 32 provided that the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs shall issue a policy statement addressing the implementation of the addition of subsec. (d).

Cross References. Section 3202 is referred to in sections 3201, 3203, 3206 of this title.