drawn recruits from the District of Columbia at a rate that puts at risk the maintenance of the necessary force levels for the District of Columbia National Guard. (8) Funds for an educational benefit for members of the District of Columbia National Guard would provide an incentive to help reverse the loss of members to nearby National Guards and allow for maintenance and increase of necessary District of Columbia National Guard personnel. (9) The loss of members of the District of Columbia National Guard could adversely affect the readiness of the District of Columbia National Guard to respond in the event of a terrorist attack on the capital of the United States. 202. District of Columbia National Guard Educational Assistance Program (a) Educational assistance program authorized The Mayor of the District of Columbia, in coordination with the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, shall establish a program under which the Mayor may provide financial assistance to an eligible member of the District of Columbia National Guard to assist the member in covering expenses incurred by the member while enrolled in an approved institution of higher education to pursue the member’s first undergraduate, masters, vocational, or technical degree or certification. (b) Eligibility (1) Criteria A member of the District of Columbia National Guard is eligible to receive assistance under the program established under this title if the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard certifies to the Mayor the following: (A) The member has satisfactorily completed required initial active duty service. (B) The member has executed a written agreement to serve in the District of Columbia National Guard for a period of not less than 6 years. (C) The member is not receiving a Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship. (2) Maintenance of eligibility To continue to be eligible for financial assistance under the program, a member of the District of Columbia National Guard must— (A) be satisfactorily