Oklahoma Technology Center Tuition Waiver for Vietnam-Era Veterans and Children of Prisoners of War

Title 72, section 302 entitles "any Oklahoma veteran, or the child of any Oklahoma veteran who is missing in action or a prisoner of war" to attend a state technology center "without the payment of tuition", except the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology at Okmulgee. The Army benefits library presents it as a benefit for Oklahoma resident veterans generally. Who actually qualifies. Section 303 limits the veteran benefit to someone who has an honorable discharge; "served a minimum of eighteen (18) consecutive months' active duty between the dates of August 10, 1964, and December 31, 1976, or shall have been discharged with a service-connected disability"; was a bona fide Oklahoma resident on entering service; and accepts the free tuition "within fifteen (15) years following his discharge". Section 304 gives a month of free tuition for each month of active duty in that window, up to 36. For almost every living veteran the 15-year window has closed. The one route still open is a recent discharge with a service-connected disability, entered from Oklahoma, used within 15 years. The waiver does not apply where another government agency pays tuition directly, such as Veteran Readiness and Employment. Children of prisoners of war and the missing. Section 305 gives up to 36 months while the parent is missing or captive or until the child turns 23. Title 70, section 2281 separately waives general enrolment fees at state colleges and technical schools for a former prisoner of war or missing person who entered service from Oklahoma, and for their children up to 24, unless federal funds pay. For current Guard members the CareerTech assistance program is the relevant one; see the Guard education entry.