4. a. The board of trustees is authorized to award scholarships from the fund for the costs of undergraduate study at a public or independent institution of higher education to the spouse, child, or other eligible dependent of a New Jersey resident who is killed, officially listed as “Missing in Action” by the United States Department of Defense, or totally and permanently disabled as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a consequence of Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.

b. Scholarships from the fund may be awarded annually upon proper application by any student who qualifies under the criteria established by the authority.

L.2015, c.117, s.4.