States offering free tuition waivers for veterans provides a distinct advantage for those who want to attend college using the GI Bill. Free tuition means GI Bill money goes farther, paying for more courses in an academic career than just an undergraduate degree.
Do you live in a “free tuition” state for veterans? Not all states offer the same benefits to all veterans, but knowing where to look is half the battle when it comes to getting the most out of a post-military college education.
Alabama Free College Tuition for Veterans
Alabama’s public two-year and four-year postsecondary technical colleges, community colleges, and junior colleges may waive tuition and fees for recipients of the Purple Heart Medal for undergraduate studies.
How to Apply
To apply, turn in supporting documentation to the public institution that you plan to attend.
Alabama State Veterans Benefits
Alabama BAH Rates
Arizona Free College Tuition for Veterans
The Arizona Purple Heart Tuition Waiver provides qualifying Post 9/11 veterans with tuition-free education at any public state university or community college. To qualify, you must be a resident veteran who has at least a 50% VA disability and received a Purple Heart medal. 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 to [email protected]
Arizona State Veterans Benefits
Arizona BAH Rates
Connecticut Free College Tuition For Veterans
Connecticut offers college tuition waivers for qualified veterans attending any state university or one of the 12 Connecticut Community College/Technical Colleges. This benefit is only applicable for tuition expenses for undergraduate and graduate programs and excludes course fees, books, parking, and room/board.
You qualify if you have:
- served 90 days of active duty military service during wartime
- been honorably discharged
- were a Connecticut state resident for one year prior to applying to the college
- been admitted to a degree-seeking program
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
Connecticut BAH Rates
Florida Free College Tuition For Veterans
The State of Florida offers qualifying veterans free undergraduate tuition at state universities and community colleges (excludes textbooks, housing, and food). This Florida state military educational benefit is intended for Florida residents who have received the Purple Heart or one of the following decorations:
- Medal of Honor
- Navy Cross/Air Force Cross/Distinguished Service Cross
- Distinguished Service Medal with Combat V
- Silver Star Legion of Merit with Combat V
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Bronze Star with Combat V
How to Apply
To apply, please work with the Financial Aid Office at your institution to determine acceptable paperwork.
Florida State Veterans Benefits
Florida BAH Rates
Illinois Free College Tuition For Veterans
The Illinois Veteran Grant Program offers Illinois veterans free tuition and the payment of selected fees at all Illinois state colleges and universities.
To qualify, you must:
- have a minimum of one year of service
- have an honorable discharge
- have Illinois listed as the home of record
- return to Illinois within six months of leaving military service
How to Apply
To apply, contact one of the VSO Offices for an application and additional information.
Illinois State Veterans Benefits
Illinois BAH Rates
Indiana Free College Tuition For Veterans
The State of Indiana offers free tuition up to 124 credit hours in a state-sponsored college/university for qualifying veterans who received the Purple Heart, entered active duty with a permanent home address in Indiana, and was honorably discharged.
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
Indiana BAH Rates
Maryland Free College Tuition for Veterans
Maryland’s Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship provides tuition assistance and other educational expenses to veterans attending an institution of higher learning in the State of Maryland.
You must be:
- a veteran who suffers, as a direct result of military service, a disability of 25 percent or greater and has exhausted or is no longer eligible for federal veterans educational benefits
- a POW/MIA of the Vietnam Conflict
How to Apply
New and renewal applicants to the program must contact your college’s Financial Aid Office for application instructions.
Maryland State Veterans Benefits
Maryland BAH Rates
Massachusetts Free College Tuition For Veterans
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts offers a tuition waiver to all veterans and active duty members who are permanent and legal residents of Massachusetts. This waiver is good for any Massachusetts state or community college or university campus.
How to Apply
To apply for the waiver, you must present documentation to your institution’s Veterans Certifying Official (separation papers or copy of orders) and complete the Categorial Tuition Waiver.
Massachusetts State Veterans Benefits
Massachusetts BAH Rates
Montana Free College Tuition For Veterans
The State of Montana offers qualifying veterans free tuition at state schools for up to 12 semesters. The veteran must be classified as an in-state resident and have already used up all available federal GI Bill benefits.
To qualify for free tuition, you must have:
- been honorably discharged, and
- performed military service in an approved war zone or campaign
How to Apply
To apply, complete the Honorably Discharged Veteran Tuition Waiver and provide all supporting documentation to your campus Financial Aid Office.
Montana State Veterans Benefits
Montana BAH Rates
New Mexico Free College Tuition For Veterans
Wartime Veteran Scholarship Fund
The Wartime Veteran Scholarship Fund is available for any veteran who has served in combat since 1990 and who has exhausted all available federal GI Bill benefits. The scholarship is available on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last. This program is for state-funded schools and is for tuition and book expenses for undergraduate and graduate work only.
You qualify if you have been:
- a New Mexico resident for a minimum of 10 years, and
- awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, or “any other medal issued for service in support of any other approved US Military campaign or armed conflict since 1990
How to Apply
To apply, complete the Wartime Veterans Scholarship Application and mail it along with accompanying documents to the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services.
Vietnam Veteran Scholarship
The Vietnam Veteran Scholarship will pay full tuition and books at any state-funded postsecondary school.
You qualify if you have:
- been a New Mexico resident for 10 years; and
- served in the Vietnam War and was issued the Vietnam Campaign or Service Medal
How to Apply
To apply, complete the Vietnam Veterans Scholarship Application and mail it along with accompanying documents to the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services.
New Mexico State Veterans Benefits
New Mexico BAH Rates
New York Free College Tuition For Veterans
New York State offers qualified residents Veteran Tuition Awards for up to the full cost of in-state undergraduate tuition at the State University of New York. Veterans are entitled to up to 8 semesters (4 years) of undergraduate study (10 semesters for approved 5-year programs), up to 6 semesters (3 years) of graduate study, or up to a maximum of 4 semesters (2 years) of study in an approved vocational training program.
To qualify, you must have been honorably discharged and are a:
- Vietnam Veteran who served in Indochina between Feb. 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975
- Persian Gulf Veteran who served in the Persian Gulf on or after Aug. 2, 1990
- Afghanistan Veteran who served in Afghanistan on or after Sept. 11, 2001
- served in hostilities that occurred after Feb. 28, 1961, with receipt of an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.
How to Apply
To apply, complete and submit the Veterans Tuition Award Application, along with required documentation. You must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the TAP on the Web application. For vocational training, complete and submit the Veterans Tuition Award Application, along with the required documentation
New York State Veterans Benefits
New York BAH Rates
Rhode Island Free College Tuition For Veterans
Rhode Island offers free tuition at Rhode Island public colleges and universities for disabled veterans. Veterans must be rated between 10% and 100% VA disabled due to military service, and permanent residents of Rhode Island. Applicants must also apply for and use federal financial aid before any state assistance is applied.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the Financial Aid Office at the institution you are attending.
Rhode Island State Veterans Benefits
Rhode Island BAH Rates
South Dakota Free College Tuition For Veterans
Qualifying veterans who do not have available funds via the GI Bill or any other federal education program may be eligible to receive free tuition. Veterans may receive 1 month of free tuition for each month of qualifying service for up to 4 academic years at state-supported schools and technical colleges.
You qualify for the free tuition if you:
- received an honorable discharge
- qualify for in-state tuition, and
- meet the state’s definition of a veteran having:
- served on active duty since Aug. 2, 1990
- received an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, or other United States campaign or service medal for combat operations against hostile forces overseas, or
- have a VA-rated service-connected disability rated 10% or more
How to Apply
To apply, complete the application, and submit it along with supporting documentation to the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs.
South Dakota State Veterans Benefits
South Dakota BAH Rates
Tennessee Free College Tuition For Veterans
The Helping Heroes Grant awards up to $1,000 per semester for up to eight full semesters for honorably-discharged veterans and service members in Tennessee. Current & former reserve or national guard members called into active duty are also eligible. Qualified members must have been a Tennessee resident for one year prior to completing the grant application. The amount of financial aid you may qualify for is dependent on the nature of your military service. Veterans must also complete 12 or more credits each semester.The Helping Heroes Grant is awarded to on average 375 veterans per year. Applicants must not hold a baccalaureate degree and be enrolled in a 2 or 4 year postsecondary institution.
Tennessee State Veterans Benefits
Tennessee BAH Rates
Texas Free College Tuition For Veterans
The State of Texas offers benefits through the Hazelwood Act. This benefit provides qualified veterans 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 have:
- served 181 days or more on active duty
- received an honorable discharge
- have no federal Veteran’s education benefits remaining, and
- met residency requirements
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.
Texas State Veterans Benefits
Texas BAH Rates
Utah Free College Tuition For Veterans
The State of Utah offers multiple programs to qualifying veterans and military dependents.
State of Utah Purple Heart Tuition Waiver
Purple Heart recipients can apply for a tuition waiver at all state-sponsored/public colleges/universities in Utah. This tuition benefit is good for undergrad and graduate work. Purple Heart documentation is required to apply for this benefit.
Scott Lundell Military Survivors Tuition Waiver
Surviving dependents of service members killed in action on or after Sept. 11, 2001, are eligible to apply for a tuition waiver good at state-supported schools. at state schools. According to the State of Utah, qualifying conditions for applicants include the following:
- Dependent may not have already completed a course of studies leading to an undergraduate degree
- Dependent may only utilize the waiver for courses that are applicable toward the degree or certificate requirements of the program in which the dependent is enrolled
- Dependent may not be excluded from the waiver if the dependent has previously taken courses at or has been awarded credit by a state institution of higher education
Utah Veterans Tuition Gap Program
In 2014, the State of Utah began the Veterans Tuition Gap Program. The program does not completely waive tuition but does allow qualifying military Veterans to receive tuition assistance for the “last school year at State institutions of higher education” for tuition only.
Utah State Veterans Benefits
Utah BAH Rates
Washington Free College Tuition For Veterans
Washington State colleges establish their own waiver programs for eligible resident veterans. Washington State law allows a waiver for qualified veterans up to the full amount of tuition and fees and participating schools.
How to Apply
Each college or university establishes and operates its own veteran’s waiver program, so it is best to get in touch with the college or university you plan to attend for details on their program.
Washington State Veterans Benefits
Washington BAH Rates
West Virginia Free College Tuition For Veterans
The Medal of Honor and Andrew J. Trail Purple Heart Recipient Tuition Waiver provides free tuition and mandatory fees for residents who have been awarded the Medal of Honor or Purple Heart. The waiver is good for 8 semesters of free tuition at all West Virginia public institutions of higher education.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the Financial Aid Office at the institution you are attending.
West Virginia State Veterans Benefits
West Virgina BAH Rates
Wisconsin Free College Tuition For Veterans
Wisconsin offers a State GI Bill that enables qualifying Wisconsin veterans to attend public postsecondary educational institutions tuition-free. The program offers full waivers for tuition and fees up to 8 semesters or 128 credit hours. This program can be used for undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degrees at the University of Wisconsin or Wisconsin Technical College institution (any location) and in any degree program.
To qualify, you must:
- have received an honorable discharge, and
- met all military service and residency requirements
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
Wisconsin BAH Rates
Wyoming Free College Tuition For Veterans
Wyoming offers free tuition and fees for 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 you:
- served in Vietnam between Aug. 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975, and received the Vietnam Service Medal, or
- are an overseas combat veteran who was honorably discharged and awarded the armed forces expeditionary medal or other authorized service or campaign medal indicating service to the United States in any armed conflict in a foreign country
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
Wyoming BAH Rates
