The General Assembly finds that it is essential for the national defense that persons be encouraged to consider military leadership positions as an honorable and rewarding profession and that the University of North Georgia, Georgia’s only state supported military college, plays a significant role in preparing and training students for professional life in the military as a profession. It is the purpose of the General Assembly, as provided for in this subpart, to encourage students to enroll in the University of North Georgia and its military training program by providing for tuition grant assistance to such students. (Ga. L. 1976, p. 503, § 1; Code 1933, § 32-3766, enacted by Ga. L. 1980, p. 835, § 3; Ga. L. 1992, p. 6, § 20; Ga. L. 2013, p. 1048, § 2/SB 82.) 20-3-431. ‘‘Eligible student’’ defined. For purposes of this subpart, the term ‘‘eligible student’’ means a person who: (1) Is enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in the University of North Georgia for a minimum of 12 academic hours; (2) Is or will be a citizen of this state for a period of at least 12 months immediately prior to the date of registration therein; and 268 20-3-434 (3) Is enrolled in or plans to enroll in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at the University of North Georgia. (Ga. L. 1976, p. 503, § 3; Code 1933, § 32-3767, enacted by Ga. L. 1980, p. 835, § 3; Ga. L. 2009, p. 8, § 20/SB 46; Ga. L. 2013, p. 1048, § 2/SB 82.) 20-3-432. Amount for each eligible student.