As used in this chapter:

"Date of the alleged entitlement" means the first official day of class within the term, semester, or quarter of the program of study in which a student is enrolled.

"Dependent student" means a student who is listed as a dependent on the federal or state income tax return of his parents or legal guardian or who receives substantial financial support from his spouse, parent, or legal guardian. "Dependent student" includes unemancipated minors.

"Domicile" means the present, fixed home of an individual to which he returns following temporary absences and at which he intends to stay indefinitely. No individual may have more than one domicile at a time. Domicile, once established, is not affected by (i) mere transient or temporary physical presence outside the Commonwealth or (ii) the establishment and maintenance of a place of residence outside the Commonwealth for the purpose of maintaining a joint household with an active duty United States military spouse.

"Domiciliary intent" means present intent to remain indefinitely.

"Emancipated minor" means a minor student who has been emancipated pursuant to Article 15 (§ 16.1-331 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1 or the applicable laws of any other jurisdiction.

"Employed full time" means employed in a position resulting in at least an annual earned income reported for tax purposes equivalent to 50 work weeks of 40 hours at minimum wage.

"Independent student" means a student whose parents have surrendered the right to his care, custody, and earnings; do not claim him as a dependent on federal or state income tax returns; and have ceased to provide him with substantial financial support. "Independent student" includes emancipated minors.

"Substantial financial support" means any amount of financial support received by a student that qualifies him to be listed as a dependent on federal and state income tax returns.

"Surviving spouse" means the spouse of a military service member who, while serving as an active duty member in the Armed Forces of the United States, Reserves of the Armed Forces of the United States, or Virginia National Guard, during military operations against terrorism, on a peacekeeping mission, or as a result of a terrorist act, or in any armed conflict, was killed in action, became missing in action, or became a prisoner of war.

"Unemancipated minor" means a minor student who has not been emancipated pursuant to Article 15 (§ 16.1-331 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1 or the applicable laws of any other jurisdiction.

"Veteran" means an individual who has served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and who was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable.

"Virginia employer" means (i) any employing unit organized under the laws of the Commonwealth or having income from sources in the Commonwealth regardless of its organizational structure or (ii) any public or nonprofit organization authorized to operate in the Commonwealth.

1984, c. 422, § 23-7.4; 1985, cc. 179, 572; 1988, c. 124; 1989, c. 371; 1990, c. 680; 1991, c. 590; 1996, cc. 931, 981; 1999, c. 439; 2006, cc. 783, 797, 806; 2007, cc. 108, 491; 2008, c. 723; 2011, cc. 38, 44, 782, 860; 2013, cc. 139, 166, 243; 2014, c. 341; 2016, c. 588.