An Act to authorize certain tribal members to attend certain institutions of higher education or postsecondary technical institutes without payment of tuition.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added:

13-55-79. Tribal members--Postsecondary institutions--Tuition.

Any enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian tribe located wholly or partially in the state may attend and pursue any undergraduate course in any state institution of higher education under the control of the Board of Regents or any course at a postsecondary technical institute as defined in § 13-39A-1 without the payment of charges for tuition. No eligible member is entitled to less than one nor more than four academic years of free tuition under this section.

No tuition benefit may be provided by the state under this section until the applicant has applied all federal tuition benefits to which the applicant may be entitled. Before receiving funds from the state for the tuition of any eligible applicant under this section, the Board of Regents or the postsecondary technical institute shall verify that all federal tuition benefits have been exhausted.