UT Code § 53B-8-112 (2021)
2021 Utah Code|Title 53B - State System of Higher Education|Chapter 8 - Tuition Waiver and Scholarships|Part 1 - General Provisions|Section 112 - Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Reimbursement Program.

 Effective 8/31/2020  53B-8-112. Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Reimbursement Program.    (1) The Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Reimbursement Program is created.     (2) Subject to legislative appropriations and Subsection (7) the board shall reimburse an applicant who:   (a) is a certified peace officer, currently employed by a law enforcement agency within the state;     (b) has been employed as a certified peace officer for three or more consecutive years;     (c) is seeking a post-secondary degree in the area of criminal justice from a credit-granting higher education institution within the state system of higher education, described in Section 53B-1-102; and     (d) is employed as a peace officer for one year following completion of the academic year for which the individual is seeking reimbursement.       (3) Individuals who qualify for reimbursement from the Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Reimbursement Program may apply for reimbursement by July 1 one year after each academic year for which they are requesting reimbursement.     (4) Subject to Legislative appropriations, of the funds appropriated for the Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Reimbursement Program:   (a) 25% of the annual appropriation shall be designated for applicants who are currently employed by a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in a county of the third or fourth class; and     (b) 12% of the annual appropriation shall be designated for applicants who are currently employed by a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in a county of the fifth or sixth class.       (5)   (a) A qualified applicant may be reimbursed up to half of the cost of tuition and fees.     (b) A reimbursement under Subsection (5)(a) is limited to:   (i) a maximum of $5,000 each academic year; and     (ii) a maximum of eight academic years.         (6)   (a) The board shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to:   (i) set deadlines for receiving reimbursement applications and supporting documentation; and     (ii) establish the application process and an appeal process for a reimbursement from the Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Reimbursement Program, including procedures to allow for online application submittals.       (b) The board shall include a disclosure on all applications and related materials that the amount of the awarded reimbursements may be subject to funding or be reduced, in accordance with Subsection (7).       (7)   (a) Subject to future budget constraints, the Legislature shall make an annual appropriation from the Education Fund to the board for the costs associated with the Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Reimbursement Program authorized under this section.     (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, if the appropriation under this section is insufficient to cover the costs associated with the Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Reimbursement Program, the board:   (i) may reduce the amount of a reimbursement; and     (ii) shall distribute reimbursements on a pro rata basis to all eligible applicants who submitted a complete application before the application deadline.       (c) Any individual who is denied reimbursement because of insufficient funds appropriated may re-apply for reimbursement up to two years after the first year of eligibility.      Amended by Chapter 13, 2020 Special Session 6