As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings, unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “Administrative fund” means the funds used to administer this article.

(b) “Beneficiary” has the same meaning as “designated beneficiary,” as provided in paragraph (1) of subsection (e) of Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it is amended from time to time, if, as determined by the board, the amendment is consistent with the purposes of this article.

(c) “Benefits” means the payment of higher education expenses on behalf of a beneficiary by the Scholarshare trust during the beneficiary’s attendance at an institution of higher education.

(d) “Board” means the Scholarshare Investment Board established pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 69984.

(e) “Golden State Scholarshare College Savings Trust” or “Scholarshare trust” means the trust created pursuant to this article.

(f) “Executive director” means the administrator of the Scholarshare trust appointed by the board to administer and manage the Scholarshare trust.

(g) “Institution of higher education” has the same meaning as “eligible educational institution,” as provided in paragraph (5) of subsection (e) of Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it is amended from time to time, if, as determined by the board, the amendment is consistent with the purposes of this article.

(h) “Investment manager” means a manager contracted to perform functions delegated by the board. “Investment management” means the functions performed by a manager contracted to perform functions delegated by the board.

(i) “Participant” means an individual, trust, estate, partnership, association, company or corporation, a custodian under the California Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (Part 9 (commencing with Section 3900) of Division 4 of the Probate Code) or similar provisions adopted by another state, a state or local government agency, or a legal representative of a participant who has entered into a participation agreement pursuant to this article. “Participant” also means an account owner.

(j) “Participation agreement” means an agreement between a participant and the Scholarshare trust, pursuant to this article.

(k) “Program fund” means the program fund established by this article, which shall be held as a separate fund within the Scholarshare trust.

(l) “Qualified higher education expenses” means the expenses of attendance at an institution of higher education as provided in paragraph (3) of subsection (e), expenses associated with participation in a registered apprenticeship program as provided in paragraph (8) of subsection (c), and payment on the principal or interest of a qualified education loan as provided in paragraph (9) of subsection (c), of Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it is amended from time to time, if, as determined by the board, the amendment is consistent with the purposes of this article, and as determined and certified by the institution of higher education in the same manner as prescribed in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. § 1087l l, as amended).

(m) “Tuition and fees” means the quarterly or semester charges imposed to attend an institution of higher education and required as a condition of enrollment.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 557, Sec. 1. (AB 340) Effective January 1, 2022.)