Purpose

• Establish a high school diploma for armed forces veterans and award a standard high school diploma to qualifying veterans who did not complete high school graduation requirements. The diploma can be awarded based on knowledge and experience gained during military service.

Main provisions

• Subdivision 1: Establishment

  • The commissioner must establish a high school diploma for veterans.
  • A qualifying veteran who did not finish high school graduation requirements can be awarded a standard high school diploma.
  • The diploma may be awarded based on knowledge and experience gained while in military service.

• Subdivision 2: Qualifying service and application

  • The commissioner may award the diploma to an eligible veteran who meets at least one of these criteria: 1) served in the Korean Conflict (Korean War), 2) served in the Vietnam War, 3) left a public or nonpublic school in any state before graduation to serve on active duty in the U.S. armed forces.
  • A veteran or a veteran’s family may apply for the diploma posthumously.
  • The Department of Education and the Department of Veterans Affairs must collaborate to assist with the application process.

• Subdivision 3: Eligible veteran

  • An eligible veteran is someone who: 1) is a current resident of Minnesota, or was previously enrolled in a Minnesota high school, or was a Minnesota resident at the time of death, and 2) was honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces as verified by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Key changes to existing law

• Creates a new pathway to obtain a standard high school diploma specifically for veterans who did not complete high school due to military service.
• Allows awarding based on knowledge and experience gained in service, rather than traditional coursework or graduation requirements.
• Defines clear eligibility criteria tied to Minnesota residency/enrollment and verified honorable discharge.
• Establishes a formal collaboration between the Minnesota Department of Education and the Department of Veterans Affairs to help veterans apply.

Practical impact (what this means)

• Veterans who left school to serve in Korea or Vietnam, or who left school to serve on active duty in any state, may qualify for a standard high school diploma after review of their military experiences.
• The diploma could support veterans’ education, employment, and benefits by providing an official credential reflecting their service and learning.

Relevant Terms - high school diploma for veterans - standard high school diploma - knowledge and experience gained in service - qualifying service criteria - Korean Conflict (Korean War) - Vietnam War - active duty - honorable discharge - Department of Education - Department of Veterans Affairs - Minnesota resident - previously enrolled in Minnesota high school - eligibility - application process - posthumous award