Definitions

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, and 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) Eligible dependent The term eligible dependent means a dependent of a public service employee who— (A) on or after the effective date of this Act, has not less than 20 years of service as a public service employee, in the aggregate; and (B) was a public service employee on the date of enactment of this Act, or began service as a public service employee after the date of enactment of this Act. (6) 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. (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) Means-tested public benefit The term means-tested public benefit means a public benefit (including cash, medical, housing, and food assistance and social services) from the Federal Government or from a State or political subdivision of a State in which the eligibility of an individual, household, or family eligibility unit for benefits, the amount of such benefits, or both are determined on the basis of income, resources, or financial need of the individual, household, or family eligibility unit. (9) 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. (10) 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). (11) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.