(1) For the 2006 tax year and each tax year after the 2006 tax year, an individual may designate on his or her annual return that a contribution of $2.00 or more of his or her refund be credited to the Michigan higher education assistance authority created in section 1 of 1960 PA 77, MCL 390.951, for the children of veterans tuition grant program created in the children of veterans tuition grant act, 2005 PA 248, MCL 390.1341 to 390.1346. Notwithstanding any other provision in this section or section 475, for the 2010 tax year and each tax year after the 2010 tax year, the contribution designation authorized under this section shall be offered and administered in accordance with section 435. If an individual's refund is not sufficient to make a contribution under this section, the individual may designate a contribution amount and that contribution amount shall be added to the individual's tax liability for the tax year.

    (2) The tax designation authorized in this section shall be clearly and unambiguously printed on the first page of the state individual income tax return forms, if practical. Effective January 1, 2010, the contribution designation authorized in this section is no longer required to be printed on the first page of the state individual income tax return but shall be incorporated into the contributions schedule created by the department pursuant to section 435 and shall remain on the schedule until the contribution designation expires or is otherwise no longer available.

    (3) Notwithstanding any other allocations or disbursements required by this act, each year that the contribution designation under this section is in effect, an amount equal to the cumulative contributions made under this section shall be appropriated from the general fund to the children of veterans tuition grant program of the Michigan higher education assistance authority, and the funds shall be distributed for programs allowed under the children of veterans tuition grant act, 2005 PA 248, MCL 390.1341 to 390.1346. No money from the contributions made pursuant to this section shall be used for the purpose of administering this section.