(a) As used in this article:

(i) 'Authorized courses' means:

(A) Credit courses which meet undergraduate or graduate degree requirements; and

(B) Credit courses which meet requirements for completion of vocational or technical training for a declared educational objective meeting requirements of rules promulgated pursuant to this article.

(ii) 'Federal tuition assistance' means any payment made to or on behalf of a member by the federal government for educational assistance, excluding benefits paid pursuant to the Montgomery GI Bill;

(iii) 'Member' means an active, in good standing, member of the Wyoming national guard;

(iv) 'Montgomery GI Bill' means the federal Montgomery GI Bill Act of 1984, Public Law 98 - 525 and subsequent amendments thereto;

(v) 'Plan' means the educational assistance plan established under this article;

(vi) 'Wyoming institution of higher education' or 'institution' means a public or private educational institution located within this state and approved for payment of Montgomery GI Bill benefits. 'Institution' includes a public or private educational institution offering an accredited degree program in Wyoming through distance education under a partnership agreement with any branch of the United States armed forces;

(vii) 'Wyoming public institutions of higher education' means the University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges;

(viii) 'Dependent' means a person enrolled as a dependent in the defense enrollment eligibility reporting system.