H1105 - Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0. (SL 2020-97)

Overview: Sec. 3.4 of S.L. 2020-97 provides funding in the form of grants to the Patriot Foundation and the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Inc., (nonprofits) to establish the North Carolina Patriot Star Family Scholarship Program (Program) for postsecondary scholarships for eligible children and spouses of certain qualifying veterans and members of the Armed Forces.

The following criteria must be met for award of a scholarship by the nonprofits:

• Children - An eligible child must meet the following criteria:
• Attend or be accepted to enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution.
• Be a legal resident of the State when the scholarship documentation is completed. For children claimed as a dependent by their parent, residency can be established based on the parent being an active duty service member permanently stationed in the State.
• Have complied with the requirements of the Selective Service System.
• Have a parent who is a veteran or a currently serving member of the Armed Forces that meets both of the following criteria:
• One of the following residency conditions:
• A resident of the State at the time of scholarship documentation completion.
• A resident of the State at the time of service entrance.
• Permanently stationed in the State at the time of death.
• An active duty service member permanently stationed in the State at the time of scholarship documentation completion.
• One of the following service conditions:
• A service member killed in action or the line of duty, or who died of wounds or other causes not due to willful misconduct during a period of war or national emergency.
• A service member who died of service-connected injuries, wounds, illness, or other causes incurred or aggravated while enlisted during a period of war or national emergency.
• A service veteran who incurred traumatic injuries or wounds or sustained a major illness while enlisted during a period of war or national emergency and is receiving compensation for a wartime service-connected disability of at least fifty percent (50%).
• A current service member who incurred traumatic injuries or wounds or sustained a major illness while enlisted during a period of war or national emergency.
• Spouse – An eligible spouse must meet the following criteria:
• Attend or be accepted to enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution.
• Be a legal resident of the State when the scholarship documentation is completed.
• Have complied with the requirements of the Selective Service System.
• Was married to a service member killed in action or in the line of duty, or died of wounds or other causes not due to the service member's willful misconduct during a period of war or national emergency.

The nonprofits must establish criteria for administration of the Program. A scholarship awarded to an eligible child or spouse must not exceed the cost of attendance at the eligible postsecondary institution, and must be reduced by other scholarships and grants covering costs of attendance. The nonprofits must each report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division on the use of State funds and activities related to the Program administration by April 1, 2021.

This section became effective September 4, 2020.