Public Service Educational Assistance Act

In this Act:

(1) Applicable postsecondary educational institution. The term applicable postsecondary educational institution means—

(A) a public institution of higher education; or

(B) a public education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential.

(2) Dependent. The term dependent has the meaning given such term in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (determined by substituting 26 for 19 in subsection (c)(3)(A)(i) thereof and without regard to subsection (c)(3)(A)(ii) thereof).

(3) Educator or teacher. The term educator or teacher means an individual who is not an elected official and who is employed at a public elementary school, a public secondary school, a public school system, a State educational agency, or a local educational agency.

(4) Elementary school; local educational agency; secondary school; State educational agency. The terms elementary school; local educational agency; secondary school; State educational agency have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(5) First responder. The term first responder includes a law enforcement officer or firefighter, including—

(A) an employee of a government prosecutorial agency or a public defender;

(B) a public safety telecommunicator, including a 911 operator or a fire dispatcher;

(C) an emergency medical services member;

(D) an employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;

(E) an employee of a State, local, or tribal emergency management agency; or

(F) a Department of Energy nuclear courier or emergency response team member.

(6) Full-time. The term full-time means an employee who is employed at least 40 hours in a workweek.

(7) Institution of higher education. The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).

(8) Public service employee. The term public service employee means an employee who works full-time—

(A) as a first responder;

(B) as an educator or teacher; or

(C) as a social worker.

(9) Recognized postsecondary credential. The term recognized postsecondary credential has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).

(10) Secretary. The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.

(11) Social worker. The term social worker means an employee of a government entity that provides mental health services or child welfare services.