SECTION 1. Section 9 of chapter 15A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any person admitted to a public institution of higher education who is a veteran as defined in clause Forty-third of section 7 of chapter 4 or who is armed forces personnel or who is a member of the National Guard shall be eligible for a full waiver of all tuition and fees for not more than 150 credit hours at such institution immediately upon establishing residency in the commonwealth. No person who qualifies for a waiver of tuition and fees under any other provision of this chapter shall be denied any waiver as a result of that person’s eligibility under this paragraph. An eligible individual shall provide the public higher education institution of higher education with proof of status as a veteran, armed forces personnel or membership in the National Guard. The waiver recipient may attend full-time or part-time and the benefit may be used for study at the undergraduate or graduate levels.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2021.