Did you know that as a spouse or dependent of a military member or veteran, you may qualify for free college tuition? However, not all states offer the same assistance, each of them offering a variety of state-funded benefits and programs.
Since there’s no one source of information, searching the internet trying to find help in covering your tuition costs can be frustrating and time-consuming. Good news! We’ve done the research for you, and provided you with a list of states that offer free tuition to spouses and qualifying dependents.
Alabama
The Alabama G.I. Dependents’ Scholarship offers qualified military spouses a scholarship equivalent to as much as five academic years or 10 semesters at any Alabama state-supported college or institution of higher learning, including state technical colleges.
The veteran must have honorably served at least 90 days of continuous active federal military service or been honorably discharged because of service-connected disability after serving less than 90 days of continuous active federal military service. The scholarship amount will depend on the disability rating of the veteran, and both the veteran and qualifying dependent or spouse must meet Alabama residency and age requirements.
The tuition will be limited to $250 per semester hour, and textbooks and applicable fees will be limited to a combined $1,000 total per student for each semester. Schools may waive any overages of these charges.
How to Apply
Check out more information on the Alabama G.I. Dependent’s Scholarship or contact one of the ADVA offices for an application.
Alabama State Veterans Benefits
Alaska
Spouses and dependents may qualify for tuition waivers attending school in the University of Alaska system. If you qualify, undergraduate tuition and fees are waived while attending school in the University of Alaska system.
To be eligible for the tuition waiver benefit, the deceased veteran must have been an Alaska resident, and meet one of the following criteria:
- Died in the line of duty
- Listed by the DOD as a POW
- Killed in action
How to Apply
To find out more about tuition waivers and other veterans benefits and programs in the State of Alaska Veterans Benefits Pamphlet.
Alaska State Veterans Benefits
Arizona
Arizona’s tuition waiver program provides surviving dependents with tuition-free education at any public state university or community college. To qualify, you must be a dependent spouse or child (not older than 30 years of age) of a member of the National Guard Member or the United States Armed Forces. The member must have been an Arizona resident/stationed in the state and killed or died from injuries suffered in the line of duty. You must also be accepted to the school you would like to attend.
How to Apply
To apply, complete the Tuition Waiver and Verification Form and email it [email protected]
Arizona State Veterans Benefits
Arkansas
The Arkansas Dependents Scholarship Program (MDS) provides financial aid for qualifying military spouses or dependents who want to earn their bachelor’s degree or certificate of completion from an Arkansas public college, university, or technical school.
To qualify, you must be a spouse or dependent child of a resident Arkansas military member who was:
- classified as missing in action, killed in action, or a prisoner of war
- killed on ordnance delivery
- classified as 100% totally and permanently disabled as a result of active military service
The program covers the unpaid part of the cost (if any) of tuition, mandatory fees, and on-campus room and board, after three months of Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) benefits have been deducted from the total cost.
How to Apply
After you read the MDS rules and regulations, you can apply online.
Arkansas State Veterans Benefits
California
Qualifying military dependents may be eligible for a waiver of statewide tuition and fees (excluding books, housing, and meals) for California State University, University of California, and any State of California community college. Read about the CalVet education benefits under which you may be eligible.
How to Apply
Use the College Fee Waiver Calculator to see if you qualify, download an application, and then visit your local County Veterans Service Office to submit your application.
California State Veterans Benefits
Connecticut
Dependent children of a Connecticut veteran qualify for a tuition waiver if attending a state public college or university. The veteran must have been declared missing in action or a prisoner of war while serving in the armed forces after Jan. 1, 1960. The tuition waiver applies to community/technical colleges, the Connecticut State University System (CSUS), and the University of Connecticut and covers the cost of tuition. Any fees, such as student activity fees and room and board, are excluded from the waiver.
How to Apply
If attending the University of Connecticut, apply at their Veterans Affairs web page. For students attending Connecticut State University, visit their Veterans Admission webpage. If attending one of the 12 Connecticut community colleges, contact the school’s admission office for details.
Connecticut State Veterans Benefits
Delaware
The State of Delaware provides educational benefits for the children of veterans who meet certain criteria. The student must be between the ages of 16 and 24, a resident of Delaware for a minimum of three years before applying, and either already attending or admitted to a four-year undergraduate or vocational program.
The award covers tuition and required fees and is based on the student’s desired program of study. Priority sequence for the award is:
- tuition and required fees at a public college in Delaware
- tuition and required fees at a private college in Delaware, if the program of study is not offered at a Delaware public college
- tuition and required fees at an out-of-state public or private college, if there is no institution in Delaware offering the program of study
How to Apply
You can apply online by completing the application at the Student Account Access site. The completed application is due 6 – 8 weeks before classes begin.
Delaware State Veterans Benefits
Florida
The Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) provides a financial award to dependent children or spouses of qualified Florida veterans. These scholarships provide financial help with tuition and fees at any eligible public or private school.
The dependent child of the qualified veteran must be between the ages of 16 and 22. The spouse of the disabled veteran must have been a Florida resident for one year and be married to the disabled veteran for one or more years. The spouse of a deceased veteran must be unremarried and apply for the scholarship within five years after the veteran’s death.
The scholarship is for funding up to 110 percent of the number of the required credit hours of an initial bachelor’s degree or certificate program. Once awarded, you don’t need to reapply for subsequent benefits.
How to Apply
You must submit a completed, error-free Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) by April 1, 2021, for priority consideration of an initial award.
Florida State Veterans Benefits
Georgia
Georgia’s HERO Scholarship Program provides educational scholarship’s to spouses and the children of members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reserves who served in combat zones. If you qualify, you may receive up to $8,000 for the equivalent of four academic years of study.
There are three ways for a spouse or dependent child to qualify:
- Be the child of a qualifying veteran who was deployed outside of the U.S. for active duty for at least 181 cumulative days, beginning on or after Feb. 1, 2003, or served less than 181 cumulative days in a combat zone, beginning on or after Feb. 1, 2003, but was evacuated because of severe injuries.
- Be the child of a qualifying veteran who was deployed outside of the U.S. for active duty service to a location designated as a combat zone, beginning on or after Feb. 1, 2003, and who was killed while serving in such combat zone, or died or became 100 percent disabled as a result of injuries received.
- Be the spouse of a qualifying veteran deployed outside of the U.S. for active duty service to a location designated as a combat zone, beginning on or after Feb. 1, 2003, and who was killed while serving in such combat zone, or died or became 100 percent disabled as a result of injuries received.
How to Apply
You must file a Georgia HERO application for the initial HERO Scholarship award no later than two years after gaining eligibility. You must complete a renewal application each academic year.
Georgia State Veterans Benefits
Illinois
The State of Illinois MIA/POW Scholarship is an educational scholarship for qualifying dependents of veterans who are either Missing In Action, a Prisoner of War, died while on active duty, 100% disabled due to service-connected disabilities or died as a result of a service-connected disability. The scholarship covers full payment of tuition and some fees to any Illinois state-supported college or university.
How to Apply
You can apply for the MIA/POW Scholarship online at the ISAC Student Portal.
Illinois State Veterans Benefits
Indiana
The State of Indiana offers a tuition and fee exemption for children of disabled veterans or Purple Heart recipients. The exemption provides eligible students a tuition exemption for up to 124 hours at certain state-supported schools. Students have eight academic years to use the 124 hours after they apply for the exemption for the first time. Check the Tuition Exemption page for the list of participating schools.
How to Apply
You can apply for this benefit on Scholar Track. The state does not accept paper applications for this benefit. If you don’t have a Scholar Track Account, you can request one at the login page.
Indiana State Veterans Benefits
Kansas
The State of Kansas provides a tuition and fee waiver for dependents and spouses of deceased military personnel. The waiver applies to Kansas public institutions, including technical schools/colleges, community colleges, Washburn University, and state universities.
To qualify, the veteran parent or spouse must have:
- been a Kansas resident
- served on active duty, active state or federal service in the Kansas Army/Air National Guard, at the time of death
- died on or after Sept. 11, 2001, while, and as a result of serving in military service
How to Apply
To receive the waiver, you must complete the Application for a Waiver of Tuition and Fees for Dependents and Spouses of Deceased Military Personnel and return it to the Kansas Board of Regents. You must provide supporting documentation as part of the application.
Kansas State Veterans Benefits
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides a tuition waiver for qualifying children, stepchildren, spouses, unremarried widows/widowers who meet the tuition program requirements. The waiver applies to any two-year, four-year, or vocational-technical schools that are run by the Kentucky Department of Education.
You may qualify for this Kentucky state tuition waiver program if the veteran was a Kentucky resident and one of the following is true:
- died on active duty
- died as a direct result of a service-connected disability
- 100% service-connected disabled
- totally disabled (non-service-connected) with wartime service
- is deceased and lived in Kentucky at the time of death and served during a wartime period
The applicant is not required to be a Kentucky resident at the time of application.
How to Apply
To apply for the tuition waiver, complete the application form, and sent it, along with required documentation to the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs.
Kentucky State Veterans Benefits
Louisiana
Louisiana’s State Dependent Tuition Exemption program applies to qualifying dependents of veterans with VA-rated disabilities at 90% or higher as a result of military service or who died on duty or as a result of service-related issues during a wartime period. Students who qualify for this education program are exempt from paying tuition and school fees. The surviving spouse must use the program within ten years of the date of eligibility. The dependent child must be between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five
How to Apply
You can apply for the waiver through your local Veterans Parish Service Office. If you qualify, you will receive a Fee Exemption Certificate from the Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs.
Louisiana State Veterans Benefits
Maine
Maine offers qualified spouses, children, stepchildren, and adopted children a 100% waiver good for college tuition and fees at schools in the State of Maine University System, Maine Community College System and Maine Maritime Academy. Spouses may use the waiver to complete a certificate program or earn an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. Children may use the benefit for a certificate program, associate, or bachelor’s degree. Children must enroll in the program before the age of 22. Applicants have 10 years to complete their program once enrolled.
The veteran must meet one of the following requirements:
- 100% service-connected disabled
- was killed in action
- died from a service-connected disability
- while on active duty, was listed MIA for 90 days, captured or forcibly detained in the line of duty
- entered the service from Maine or had been a state resident for 5 years
How to Apply
To apply for the tuition waiver, complete the Veterans’ Dependents Educational Benefits Program Application, and send it along with all required documents to the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management Bureau of Veterans’ Services.
Maryland
The Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship offers free tuition and mandatory fees to family members attending a higher education institution in the State of Maryland (excludes the University of Maryland University College and the University of Maryland, Baltimore). Awards are good for five years of full-time study or eight years of part-time study, or a combination of both.
To qualify, you must be:
- The son or daughter of a veteran who died, or is 100 percent disabled as a direct result of military service
- The son, daughter or surviving spouse of a victim of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, who died as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the attack on the Pentagon, or the crash of UA Flight 93
- The son or daughter of a POW/MIA of the Vietnam Conflict
How to Apply
To apply, contact the Financial Aid Office at the institution you will be attending.
Maryland State Veterans Benefits
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Public Service Scholarship Program offers free tuition to students who have experienced the loss of a parent or spouse killed or missing in the line of public service duty in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The scholarship provides free tuition at any public or independent college or university in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To be eligible for a Massachusetts Public Service Grant, you must be a:
- child of a prisoner of war (POW) or service member declared missing in action (MIA) in Southeast Asia with service between Feb. 1, 1955, and the termination of the Vietnam campaign
- child of a Massachusetts veteran killed in action or otherwise died as a result of military service
How to Apply
For your initial award, you must fill out the First Time Applicant Public Service Grant Application and return it by May 1 of your first year of school. You will need to fill out the Public Service Grant Program Renewal Application each year you wish you receive the scholarship.
Massachusetts State Veterans Benefits
Minnesota
The Surviving Spouse/Dependent Education Benefit provides spouses and dependents, including adopted and stepchildren, free tuition until they earn a bachelor’s degree. The Minnesota Department of Veteran’s Affairs will also pay $750 per fiscal year for fees, books/supplies, and room and board.
To qualify, you must be the spouse or dependent of a qualifying resident veteran who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected condition. Applicants must be Minnesota residents, and the spouse cannot be remarried. There is no age limitation for eligible survivors.
How to Apply
You may apply for this benefit by completing the application and submitting it directly to MDVA or applying with assistance through your County Veterans Service Officer.
Minnesota State Veterans Benefits
Mississippi
The State of Mississippi offers free tuition for Mississippi resident children of veterans classified as Prisoners of War (POW) or missing in action (MIA). Qualifying children attending state-support schools may qualify for eight semesters of education benefits. The benefit does not cover the cost of books, food, supplies, dues, or fees for extracurricular activities.
How to Apply
To apply, contact the Financial Aid Office at your choice of Mississippi school. You can also contact the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board (MVAB) for assistance.
Mississippi State Veterans Benefits
Missouri
The Missouri Wartime Veteran’s Survivors Grant Program is available to children and spouses of resident veterans:
- whose deaths or injuries were a result of combat action or were attributed to an illness contracted while serving in combat action
- who became 80 percent disabled as a result of injuries or accidents sustained in combat action since Sept. 11, 2001
The total number of students that may receive a grant in any year is limited by law to 25.
To qualify, you must be:
- enrolled or accepted for enrollment at least half-time as an undergraduate student in a participating public college or university
- the veteran’s spouse at the time of death or injury or within five years following the injury
- the veteran’s child (natural, adopted, or stepchild) and is less than the age of 25
How to Apply
The application is available through the State Financial Aid Portal. The application deadline is May 1 each school year.
Missouri State Veterans Benefits
Montana
Montana’s War Orphans Waiver is granted to children aged 25 or less, whose Montana resident parent was on active duty and killed in action or died as a result of combat-related injury, disease, or other disability during a qualifying war or conflict. The waiver applies to students accepted to schools in the Montana University System.
How to Apply
To apply for the tuition waiver, complete the Montana University System – War Orphans Tuition Waiver and send it along with the required supporting documentation to the Montana University System
The Surviving Dependents of a Montana National Guard Member Tuition Waiver is granted to surviving spouses or children of Montana National Guard members killed through injury, disease, or disability due to state active duty. The waiver applies to students accepted to schools in the Montana University System.
How to Apply
Contact the financial aid office at your school to apply for this tuition waiver.
Montana State Veterans Benefits
Nebraska
Nebraska’s Waiver of Tuition is available to the spouse, surviving spouse, biological, adopted or stepchild of an eligible veteran. The benefit may be used to waive 100% of a student’s tuition charges and tuition-related fees to participating University of Nebraska campuses, Nebraska state colleges, and Nebraska community colleges. The waiver does not cover books, room and board, or other expenses not related to tuition.
To qualify, the veteran must:
- be rated permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service
- have died of a service-connected disability
- have died following discharge as a result of injury or illness sustained while a member of the armed forces
- have been classified as missing in action (MIA) or a prisoner of war (POW) during armed hostilities while a member of the armed forces
How to Apply
Complete the application and mail it along with all required supporting documentation to the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Nebraska State Veterans Benefits
Nevada
The State of Nevada offers a tuition and fee waiver for any child or surviving spouse of a Nevada National Guard member, active duty member killed in the line of duty, or a prisoner of war (POW) or declared missing in action (MIA), while permanently stationed in Nevada. The dependent can choose any school in the University of Nevada system. A child may use the waiver for 10 years after the age of 18. A surviving spouse may use the waiver for 10 years after the member’s date of death.
How to Apply
To apply, contact the Financial Aid Office at your University of Nevada school of choice.
Nevada State Veterans Benefits
New Hampshire
The state of New Hampshire offers free tuition to qualifying children of service members stationed in the state. The tuition grant is good at New Hampshire state colleges and state vocational-technical schools. A scholarship for room and board, rent, books, and supplies up to $2,500 per year for no more than 4 years may be furnished if they in need of financial assistance.
You qualify if you are a:
- child of a reported missing member serving after Feb. 28, 1961, and stationed in the State of New Hampshire
- child of a service member killed during wartime
- child of a veteran who died from a service-related disability
How to Apply
To apply, contact the Financial Aid Office at the New Hampshire state college or school of your choice.
New Hampshire State Veterans Benefits
New Jersey
New Jersey National Guard Tuition Waiver
New Jersey State Law provides tuition-free enrollment in public institutions of higher education for qualifying surviving spouses and children of New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. The surviving spouse or child can attend courses at any New Jersey public institution of higher education and receive up to 16 tuition-free credits per semester. The student will be required to pay for all other expenses, including lab fees and books.
How to Apply
Contact the Veterans Representative or Financial Aid Office at your host institution before registration. Each participating state institution has its own policies and procedures.
POW-MIA Tuition Benefit Program
Free undergraduate college tuition is available to any child born or adopted before, during, or after his or her parent was officially declared a prisoner of war (POW) or person missing in action (MIA). The POW/MIA must have been a New Jersey resident at the time they entered the service, or whose official residence is New Jersey. Eligible students can attend either a public or private New Jersey school.
How to Apply
To apply, contact the Veterans Benefits Bureau and submit a copy of the DD-1300 with the application.
New Jersey State Veterans Benefits
New Mexico
The State of New Mexico offers free tuition to dependent children of qualifying veterans who were killed in action or died as a result of wounds sustained in battle. Children between the ages of 16-26 qualify for a full tuition waiver at any state-funded post-secondary school. A $150 stipend, per semester, is included to help with books or fees.
How to Apply
Complete the Application for Scholarship for Children of Deceased Military Personnel, including required paperwork, and mail it to the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services.
New Mexico State Veterans Benefits
New York
New York’s Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarship provides education assistance to children, spouses, and dependents of members of the Armed Forces or state-organized militia, who died or became severely and permanently disabled while engaged in or training for hostilities, on or after Aug. 2, 1990. The scholarship covers the full cost of earning a four-year undergraduate degree (or five years in an approved five-year bachelor’s degree program), including tuition, room and board, and allowances for books, supplies, and transportation up to the average cost at SUNY Colleges.
How to Apply
Complete and submit the Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarships Web Supplement. Be sure to print the confirmation, sign it, and submit it, along with the required documentation.
New York State Veterans Benefits
North Carolina
The North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans provides free tuition for 8 academic semesters, and the recipient has 8 years to use the eight academic semesters. To qualify, the student must be the natural or an adopted child (if adopted before the age of 15) of a deceased, disabled, combat, or a veteran declared a prisoner of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA). The veteran must have seen action during a period of war and lived in and was a resident of North Carolina.
How to Apply
You must Log In to the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website and complete the application. You will have to scan and upload all supporting documents because paper copies are accepted.
North Carolina State Veterans Benefits
North Dakota
The North Dakota Dependent Tuition Waiver Program provides free tuition to qualified dependents attending any in North Dakota state-supported institution of higher education, or state-supported technical or vocational school. The waiver provides free tuition and fees while earning a bachelor’s degree or certificate completion. The degree or certificate must be earned within a 45-month or 10-semester period.
You qualify if the resident veteran was:
- killed in action
- died from wounds as a result of military service
- died as a result of military service
- totally disabled as a result of military service
- died from disabilities that occurred as a result of military service
- was a prisoner of war (POW) or declared missing in action (MIA)
How to Apply
To apply, contact your school’s financial aid department.
North Dakota State Veterans Benefits
Ohio
The Ohio War Orphan and Severely Disabled Veterans’ Children Scholarship Program awards tuition assistance to the children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict. Students attending Ohio public colleges are granted 100% of free tuition and general fees. Students attending private institutions will receive an annual award amount of $8,575.
How to Apply
To apply, complete the scholarship application, and mail it to the Department of Higher Education. The deadline is May 15, every year.
Oklahoma
The Heroes Promise is a special tuition scholarship for children of Oklahoma resident military personnel that were killed in action after Jan. 1, 2000, as a result of an injury sustained while in the line of duty in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Heroes Promise will help pay the student’s tuition at a public community college or university. The final amount of the scholarship varies by college and whether the student attends full time or less. The student must enroll within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education prior to reaching the age of 21.
How to Apply
to apply for the Heroes Promise scholarship, log in to the OKCOLLEGESTART wepage, and complete the online application.
Oklahoma State Veterans Benefits
South Carolina
South Carolina offers tuition assistance for children of qualifying war veterans. Children of veterans are eligible for free tuition if they are 26 or younger and enrolled in an undergraduate program at a state-supported school.
The veteran must have been honorably discharged after serving during a wartime period (see page 4 of the application) and meet the following criteria:
- is totally and permanently disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- died during military service or from a service-connected disability
- was a prisoner of war (POW) or is missing in action (MIA)
- is a Congressional Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipient
How to Apply
To apply, download and complete the Application for Tuition Assistance for Certain War Veterans Children.
South Carolina State Veterans Benefits
South Dakota
South Dakota offers tuition waivers for qualifying dependents attending state colleges. To be eligible for this benefit, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be the child of a veteran who died during service in the U.S. Armed Forces
- Be the spouse or child of a veteran who is listed as a prisoner of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA)
- Be the spouse or child of a member who died or was permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty while a member of the S.D. National Guard
How to Apply
To apply, visit the Financial Aid Office, veterans representative, or registrars office at your institution. You can also download the application from the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs.
South Dakota State Veterans Benefits
Tennessee
The State of Tennessee offers qualifying dependent children free tuition, maintenance fees, student activity fees, and registration fees to any of the colleges or universities owned, operated, and maintained by the State of Tennessee.
To qualify, you must be under the age of 23, and the veteran must have been serving as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces during a qualifying period of armed conflict and:
- been killed or died as a direct result of injuries received
- officially reported as being either a prisoner of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA)
How to Apply
To apply, visit the Financial Aid Office or the Veteran Resource Center at the school of your choice.
Tennessee State Veterans Benefits
Texas
The State of Texas offers benefits through the Hazlewood Act. This benefit provides qualified spouses and dependent children an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. The exemption does not include living expenses, books, or supply fees.
To qualify, you must be the spouse/child of a qualifying veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Texas National Guard who
- died as a result of service-related injuries
- is 100% total and permanently service-connected disabled as determined by the V.A.
- is missing in action (MIA)
- was killed in action (KIA)
How to Apply
You must apply and be accepted to the institution, complete the Hazlewood Exemption Application Form and take it the Financial Aid Office will all required documentation.
Utah
The State of Utah offers qualifying dependents free tuition at state schools through the Scott Lundell Military Survivors Tuition Waiver. The tuition waiver is only good for undergraduate study and does not apply to fees, books, or housing expenses.
You qualify if you are a surviving dependent of a qualifying veteran who:
- was killed while serving on state or federal active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, or
- died of wounds or injuries received while serving on state or federal active duty, and
- was a Utah resident and member of the U.S. Armed Forces, reserve component, or the Utah National Guard
How to Apply
To apply, visit the Veterans Resource Office at the school of your choice.
Vermont
The Armed Services Scholarship is a State of Vermont benefit program for the spouse and children of qualifying military members. The scholarship provides free tuition towards the completion of an undergraduate degree at a Vermont school. For state schools, the scholarship covers the full tuition. For private schools, the scholarship reduces the tuition.
You qualify if you are the spouse or child of a military member who:
- died on active duty since 2001
- was a Vermont National Guard member who died while serving at any time
How to Apply
If the deceased was a member of the Vermont National Guard, apply through the National Guard’s Education Office. For all other members, apply to the Veteran Services Director at the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs.
Vermont State Veterans Benefits
Virginia
Through the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP), spouses and dependents of qualifying military service members can get free tuition and fees at any state-supported college or university for up to four years. Visit the program webpage for applicant requirements
To qualify for the benefit, you must be the dependent (between the ages of 16 and 29) or spouse of a military member who, as a result of military service in armed conflict was:
- killed
- classified as missing in action (MIA)
- taken prisoner
- became at least 90% disabled
How to Apply
To apply, use the myVMSDEP portal to establish an account and submit an online application.
Virginia State Veterans Benefits
Washington
The State of Washington waives undergraduate tuition and fees (up to 200 quarter credits or 133 semester hours) at state community colleges, colleges, and universities for eligible dependents of resident Washington state military members and veterans. A $500 book stipend is also provided each academic year. The child must be between the ages of 17 and 26. The spouse must use the benefit within 10 years of the qualifying event.
You qualify for free tuition if the qualifying veteran or national guard member:
- is 100% total and permanently service-connected disabled as determined by the V.A.
- died as a result of military service
How to Apply
To apply, visit the Financial Aid Office of your school of choice.
Washington State Veterans Benefits
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin GI Bill is a veteran’s benefit that enables qualifying resident Wisconsin children and spouses to attend Wisconsin public post-secondary educational institutions tuition-free. It provides tuition remission for 128 credits or 8 semesters, whichever is longer, at all University of Wisconsin (U.W.) and Wisconsin Technical College System institutions, including graduate programs.
You qualify for free tuition if you are the spouse or child of a resident veteran that:
- has been awarded a service-connected disability rating of at least 30% by the V.A.
- died in the line of duty, or
- died as a result of a service-connected disability
How to Apply
To apply, visit the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs online portal and create an account. You will be asked to enter all required information and upload supporting documents that prove your eligibility. If you are eligible, you will get a certificate of eligibility. You will need the certificate to apply for the Wisconsin GI Bill though your institution.
Wisconsin State Veterans Benefits
Wyoming
Wyoming offers free tuition and fees for the surviving spouse and dependents of qualifying resident veterans. The tuition waiver is good for 8 semesters over 8 years while attending the University of Wyoming or Wyoming community colleges.
You qualify for the free tuition if the veteran:
- served in Vietnam between Aug. 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975, and received the Vietnam Service Medal
- died while serving on active state or military service
- was officially listed as being either a prisoner of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA)
- was honorably discharged and then died of an injury or disease incurred while on active state or military service.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the Financial Aid Office at your institution and complete the Educational Assistance application and provide all required documents as evidence of eligibility.
Wyoming State Veterans Benefits
Jim spent 22 years on active duty, climbing the ranks from Airman Basic to a decorated Air Force Major. Stationed all over the world, he held many high-level posts, including Chief of Foreign Military Sales at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Jim earned his Ph.D. through the Montgomery Era GI Bill and spent 13 years teaching African Studies in Pennsylvania. Jim is also an award-winning travel writer.
