In order to qualify for the GI program the student must:
- Be a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in the U.S. armed forces on or after September 11, 2001.
- Non-veteran who served honorably in the Minnesota National Guard (or any other active or reserve component of the U.S. armed forces) on or after September 11,2001.
- Or a surviving spouse or dependent of a person has served in the military at any time on or after September 11, 2001, and who has died as a direct result of military service, or who has total or permanent disability.