§ 116-143.3B.  Tuition of qualifying veterans.

(a) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Armed Forces. - The United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force, the North Carolina National Guard, and any reserve component of any of these entities.

(2) Qualifying veteran. - An individual who meets all of the following criteria:

a. Served active duty for not less than 90 days in the Armed Forces.

b. Received an Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces.

c. Meets at least one of the following criteria:

1. Graduated from high school in North Carolina on or after January 1, 2004.

2. Served active duty in the Armed Forces with a permanent station in North Carolina for at least 90 continuous days.

3. Was awarded a Purple Heart.

(b) [In-State Tuition. -] Any qualifying veteran admitted to an institution of higher education, as defined in G.S. 116-143.1(a)(3), shall be charged the in-State tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees for enrollment, without having to satisfy the 12-month residency requirement under G.S. 116-143.1.

(c) [Burden of Proof. -] The individual applying for the benefit of this section has the burden of proving entitlement to the benefit.  (2025-72, s. 3(b).)