1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 4, a student may apply to the Board of Regents for a Millennium Scholarship if the student:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (e) of subsection 2, has been a resident of this State for at least 2 years before the student applies for the Millennium Scholarship;

(b) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c), graduated from a public or private high school in this State:

(1) After May 1, 2000, but not later than May 1, 2003; or

(2) After May 1, 2003, and, except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (c), (d) and (f) of subsection 2, not more than 6 years before the student applies for the Millennium Scholarship;

(c) Does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b) and:

(1) Was enrolled as a pupil in a public or private high school in this State with a class of pupils who were regularly scheduled to graduate after May 1, 2000;

(2) Received his or her high school diploma within 4 years after he or she was regularly scheduled to graduate; and

(3) Applies for the Millennium Scholarship not more than 6 years after he or she was regularly scheduled to graduate from high school;

(d) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (e), maintained in high school in the courses designated by the Board of Regents pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 2, at least:

(1) A 3.00 grade point average on a 4.0 grading scale, if the student was a member of the graduating class of 2003 or 2004;

(2) A 3.10 grade point average on a 4.0 grading scale, if the student was a member of the graduating class of 2005 or 2006; or

(3) A 3.25 grade point average on a 4.0 grading scale, if the student was a member of the graduating class of 2007 or a later graduating class;

(e) Does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph (d) and received at least the minimum score established by the Board of Regents on a college entrance examination approved by the Board of Regents that was administered to the student while the student was enrolled as a pupil in a public or private high school in this State; and

(f) Is enrolled in at least:

(1) Nine semester credit hours in a community college within the System;

(2) Twelve semester credit hours in another eligible institution; or

(3) A total of 12 or more semester credit hours in eligible institutions if the student is enrolled in more than one eligible institution.

2. The Board of Regents:

(a) Shall define the core curriculum that a student must complete in high school to be eligible for a Millennium Scholarship.

(b) Shall designate the courses in which a student must earn the minimum grade point averages set forth in paragraph (d) of subsection 1.

(c) May establish criteria with respect to students who have been on active duty serving in the Armed Forces of the United States to exempt such students from the 6-year limitation on applications that is set forth in subparagraph (2) of paragraph (b) of subsection 1.

(d) Shall establish criteria with respect to students who have a documented physical or mental disability or who were previously subject to an individualized education program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq., or a plan under Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §§ 791 et seq. The criteria must provide an exemption for those students from:

(1) The 6-year limitation on applications that is set forth in subparagraph (2) of paragraph (b) of subsection 1 and subparagraph (3) of paragraph (c) of subsection 1 and any limitation applicable to students who are eligible pursuant to subparagraph (1) of paragraph (b) of subsection 1.

(2) The minimum number of credits prescribed in paragraph (f) of subsection 1.

(e) Shall establish criteria with respect to students who have a parent or legal guardian on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States to exempt such students from the residency requirement set forth in paragraph (a) of subsection 1 or subsection 4.

(f) Shall establish criteria with respect to students who have been actively serving or participating in a charitable, religious or public service assignment or mission to exempt such students from the 6-year limitation on applications that is set forth in subparagraph (2) of paragraph (b) of subsection 1. Such criteria must provide for the award of Millennium Scholarships to those students who qualify for the exemption and who otherwise meet the eligibility criteria to the extent that money is available to award Millennium Scholarships to the students after all other obligations for the award of Millennium Scholarships for the current school year have been satisfied.

3. If the Board of Regents requires a student to successfully complete courses in mathematics or science to be eligible for a Millennium Scholarship, a student who has successfully completed one or more courses in computer science described in NRS 389.0186 must be allowed to apply not more than one unit of credit received for the completion of such courses toward that requirement.

4. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c) of subsection 1, for students who did not graduate from a public or private high school in this State and who, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (e) of subsection 2, have been residents of this State for at least 2 years, the Board of Regents shall establish:

(a) The minimum score on a standardized test that such students must receive; or

(b) Other criteria that students must meet,

to be eligible for Millennium Scholarships.

5. In awarding Millennium Scholarships, the Board of Regents shall enhance its outreach to students who:

(a) Are pursuing a career in education or health care;

(b) Come from families who lack sufficient financial resources to pay for the costs of sending their children to an eligible institution; or

(c) Substantially participated in an antismoking, antidrug or antialcohol program during high school.

6. The Board of Regents shall establish a procedure by which an applicant for a Millennium Scholarship is required to execute an affidavit declaring the applicant’s eligibility for a Millennium Scholarship pursuant to the requirements of this section. The affidavit must include a declaration that the applicant is a citizen of the United States or has lawful immigration status, or that the applicant has filed an application to legalize the applicant’s immigration status or will file an application to legalize his or her immigration status as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2751; A 2001, 1416; 2003, 2962; 2005, 22nd Special Session, 149; 2007, 23rd Special Session, 10; 2009, 76, 706; 2015, 975, 2116; 2017, 4342)