1. Any Missouri resident who is at least sixty-five years of age on or before August first of a school year and who possesses the qualifications set forth in this section shall be awarded a scholarship to a state educational institution, as the term is defined in section 176.010, of the person‘s choice. Such scholarship shall consist of an exemption from tuition at the institution attended. Persons seeking a scholarship pursuant to this section shall provide documentation of age to the institution attended and shall satisfy all other necessary entrance requirements of the school of their choice in order to be eligible to receive a scholarship.

2. Certification and eligibility for the tuition benefits provided under this section, including satisfaction of applicable entrance requirements, shall be determined by the chosen educational institution.

3. Each state educational institution shall determine the number of students who may receive the tuition benefit based on available class space after tuition-paying students have enrolled. No institution shall be required to provide tuition benefits to any person if the institution is already providing tuition benefits to at least as many students as the number of students established pursuant to this subsection.

4. If a recipient of a scholarship pursuant to this section is found no longer eligible for tuition benefits under this section by the institution while enrolled in a course of study, the scholarship shall be terminated on the date the member is found no longer eligible for tuition benefits.

5. A person receiving a scholarship pursuant to this section shall take all tuition-free courses on a noncredit basis and shall satisfy all course prerequisites of the institution.

6. An institution may charge a registration fee, not to exceed twenty-five dollars per semester, from any person receiving a scholarship at that institution pursuant to this section.