The sums appropriated under the provisions of this section shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated for the sole purpose of contributing to the payment of board, room rent, books and supplies, at an institution of higher education, for veteran‘s natural or adopted children between the ages of 16 and 25 years, who are legal residents of the state at the time of application, whose parent served on active duty in the armed services of the United States from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946; or from June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955; or from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975; or from August 2, 1990 through a final date of the Gulf War conflict to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law; or in any operation not otherwise covered by this section for which the armed forces expeditionary medal or a theater of operations service medal, as defined in N.H. Rev. Stat. § 72:29, has been awarded to the veteran, and the veteran, who was a New Hampshire resident at the time of his or her death, either died while on active duty during the service described above, or has since died from a service-connected disability so rated by the federal government. Not more than $2,500 shall be paid under this section to any one student in any one year, provided that no individual shall be eligible to receive such benefits for a period of more than 4 years.