(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article 7 to the contrary, but subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, every athlete who otherwise would not be classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes under this article may be classified as an in-state student for purposes of tuition at any state-supported institution of higher education if the athlete is:
(a) In residence and in training at the United States Olympic training center at Colorado Springs; or
(b) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2017.)
(c) Residing in Colorado and training in an elite level program in Colorado approved by the United States Olympic committee and the governing body for the athlete's Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, or Parapan American sport.
(2) If a student is classified as an in-state student pursuant to this section, he or she may be counted as a resident student for any purpose; except that no such student shall be entitled to receive state financial aid.
(3) The governing board of each state-supported institution of higher education may grant in-state tuition status to students classified pursuant to this section.