Subd. 1. Grants.

A Southwest Asia veteran who enrolls in a technical college program, and who is a Minnesota resident whose entire education has not included completion of at least one technical college program is eligible for a state grant of $500 per year if the veteran has GI Montgomery Bill benefits, or $1,000 per year if the veteran does not have GI Montgomery Bill benefits, until the veteran has completed the lesser of (1) 115 credits in a technical college program, or (2) one technical college program. The grant is based on full-time attendance and shall be prorated if the student is attending less than full time. To be eligible for the tuition relief, a veteran must enroll in a technical college within two years of the date of discharge. All veterans enrolled under this program must maintain a minimum of six credits per quarter. Total grants may not exceed the available appropriation.

Subd. 2. Definitions.

For the purpose of this section, the following terms have the meanings given to them:

1. (a) "Southwest Asia veteran" means a person who:

   1. (1) served in the active military service in any branch of the armed forces of the United States any time between August 1, 1990, and February 27, 1992;
   2. (2) became eligible for the Southwest Asia Service Medal as a result of the service;
   3. (3) was a Minnesota resident at the time of induction into the armed forces and for the one year immediately preceding induction; and
   4. (4) has been separated or discharged from active military service under conditions other than dishonorable.
2. (b) "Technical college" means a technical college or consolidated community technical college under the governance of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.