(1) As used in this section, “military veteran” means a person who has entered and served honorably in the United States armed forces on active duty, active national guard or active reserves.
(2) A military veteran who is a current resident of this state or whose home of record for military purposes is Tennessee and who is a student at a public institution of higher education shall be allowed to register for classes prior to the general student population at any public institution of higher education. Early registration shall occur using the same procedure used by student athletes, disabled students and honor students, if such groups are permitted to early register.