The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Associate degree.” An undergraduate degree awarded by a community college, a State-related institution or a State-owned institution.

“Baccalaureate degree.” An undergraduate degree awarded by a State-owned or State-related institution.

“Child” or “children.” A resident of this Commonwealth who is the child by birth or adoption of a deceased police officer, firefighter, correction employee or National Guard member killed in the performance of his or her duties.

“Community college.” A public college or technical institute which is established and operated under Article XIX-A of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L. 30, No. 14),¹ known as the Public School Code of 1949, and all branches or campuses of a community college.

“Correction employee.” An individual employed on a full-time basis at a State or county correctional facility who has care, custody and control of inmates.

“Educational gratuity.” The waiver by a community college or a State-owned or State-related institution of tuition, fees and room and board charges for an eligible child.

“Firefighter.” An individual employed in that capacity on a full-time basis by a municipality or a member of a volunteer fire company of this Commonwealth. The term includes members of a rescue squad or ambulance service as defined in the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L. 424, No. 101),² referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act.

“Member of the National Guard.” A person who is an active member in good standing in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

“Municipality.” A county, city, borough, incorporated town or township, regardless of form of government.

“Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency” or “PHEAA.” The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency created by the act of August 7, 1963 (P.L. 549, No. 290),³ referred to as the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Act.

“Police officer.” An individual employed on a full-time or part-time basis by the Commonwealth as a member of the Pennsylvania State Police Force or an individual employed on a full-time or part-time basis as a police officer by a municipality of this Commonwealth.

“Program.” The Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program created by this act.

“Room and board charge.” The amount charged by a community college or a State-owned or State-related institution for provision of lodging and meals to students enrolled at the community college or State-owned or State-related institution.

“State-owned institution.” An institution which is part of the State System of Higher Education under Article XX-A of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L. 30, No. 14),⁴ known as the Public School Code of 1949, and all branches and campuses of a State-owned institution.

“State-related institution.” The Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, the Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lincoln University.

“Total institution charges.” Tuition and fees plus room and board charges.

“Tuition and fees.” The instructional charge and any other fee established by the governing board of a community college for Commonwealth residents attending the community college or the instructional fee established by the Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education for Commonwealth residents attending State-owned institutions. The term includes tuition and fees set by the respective governing bodies of the State-related institutions.

“Volunteer fire company.” A nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth which provides fire protection services within this Commonwealth.