As used in this subpart, the term:

(1) “Academic year” means a period of time, typically nine months, in which a full-time student is expected to complete the equivalent of at least nine or more credit hours per term or semester or in which a part-time student is expected to complete the equivalent of eight or fewer credit hours per term or semester.

(2) “Approved school” shall have the same meaning as the term “eligible postsecondary institution” as set forth in Code Section 20-3-519.

(3) “Eligible student” means a person who qualifies for an educational grant under this subpart.

(4) “Emergency medical technician” means a person employed by the state or by a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state who has been certified as an emergency medical technician, cardiac technician, or paramedic pursuant to Chapter 11 of Title 31.

(5) “Firefighter” means a person employed, appointed, or regularly enrolled by the state or by any county or municipal fire department whose duties include extinguishing fires or investigating cases of suspected arson.

(6) “Highway emergency response operator” means an individual employed by the Department of Transportation who operates a towing or recovery vehicle or highway maintenance vehicle.

(7) “In the line of duty” means:

(A) With respect to an emergency medical technician, when performing services for and receiving compensation from the public agency which employs such emergency medical technician or when performing emergency medical services;

(B) With respect to a firefighter, when responding to or returning from a fire or other emergency, performing duties during any fire or other emergency, or performing duties intended to protect life and property, including, without limitation, actual participation in a training exercise;

(C) With respect to a highway emergency response operator, when performing services for and receiving compensation from the Department of Transportation;

(D) With respect to a law enforcement officer, when performing services for the law enforcement agency which employs such officer, responding to any situation which would save a life or preserve the peace, or preventing or attempting to prevent the commission of a crime; or

(E) With respect to a prison guard, when performing services for and receiving compensation from the public agency which employs such prison guard.

(8) “Law enforcement officer” means a sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, peace officer, officer or member of the Department of Public Safety, or other officer or official who has the power of arrest and who is responsible for enforcing the criminal laws of the state or its political subdivisions.

(9) “Permanent disability” or “permanently disabled” means physical incapacity to perform the duties of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, prison guard, emergency medical technician, or highway emergency response operator as determined by the public employer designated in paragraph (3) of Code Section 20-3-453, provided that such incapacity is likely to be permanent based upon current medical standards.

(10) “Prison guard” means a person employed by the state or by a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state whose principal duties relate to supervision and incarceration of persons accused or convicted of violation of the criminal laws of the state or any county, municipality, or other political subdivision thereof.