ENROLLMENT OF CERTAIN SERIOUSLY WOUNDED, ILL, OR INJURED FORMER OR RETIRED ENLISTED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF THE AIR FORCE IN ORDER TO COMPLETE DEGREE PROGRAM.

SEC. 555. ENROLLMENT OF CERTAIN SERIOUSLY WOUNDED, ILL, OR INJURED FORMER OR RETIRED ENLISTED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF THE AIR FORCE IN ORDER TO COMPLETE DEGREE PROGRAM. (a) In General.—Section 9315 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c): “(c) Seriously Wounded, Ill, or Injured Former and Retired Enlisted Members. (1) The Secretary of the Air Force may authorize participation in a program of higher education under subsection (a)(1) by a person who is a former or retired enlisted member of the armed forces who at the time of the person’s separation from active duty— “(A) had commenced but had not completed a program of higher education under subsection (a)(1); and “(B) is categorized by the Secretary concerned as seriously wounded, ill, or injured. “(2) For purposes of this subsection, a person who may be categorized as seriously wounded, ill, or injured is a person with a serious injury or illness (as that term is defined in section 1602(8) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note)). “(3) A person may not be authorized under paragraph (1) to participate in a program of higher education after the end of the 10-year period beginning on the date of the person’s separation from active duty. “(4) The Secretary may not pay the tuition for participation in a program of higher education under subsection (a)(1) of a person participating in such program pursuant to an authorization under paragraph (1).” . (b) Conforming Amendments.—Subsection (d) of such section, as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), is amended by striking “enlisted member” both places it appears and inserting “person”. (c) [10 U.S.C. 9315 note] Effective Date.—Subsection (c) of section 9315 of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)(2)), shall apply to persons covered by paragraph (1) of such subsection who are categorized by the Secretary concerned as seriously wounded, ill, or injured after September 11, 2001. With respect to any such person who is separated from active duty during the period beginning on September 12, 2001, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 10-year period specified in paragraph (3) of such subsection shall be deemed to commence on the date of the enactment of this Act.