My family and I are quickly closing in on the biggest change of our military career, retirement. My husband has a little over two years left of active duty service before we will make the switch from military to veteran. One of the biggest determining factors in our decision on where to retire is education benefits, besides the GI Bill, that will be available to me and my husband.
We also have three children who will be graduating in the next few years and finding benefits, such as scholarships and tuition assistance for military dependents, are also a factor in where they will attend college. With all this in mind, I decided to do a little digging and see what I could find in regards to education benefits offered on the state level for all fifty states and six U.S. territories. The list is so extensive that I’ve had to divide it into three parts.
Part one covers Alabama through Louisiana. If you don’t see your state listed here, be assured the rest are coming in later blog posts. If you know of any educational benefits for any of the states listed in this blog that I have not included, please send me an email at jennifer@armywifenetwork.com so I can include them in my list.
Alabama:
GI Dependents’ Scholarship Program:
Offers five years of full or part time study at a state-sponsored college or technical school without payment of any tuition, required textbooks or instructional fees for dependent children of service members who were KIA, declared MIA, a POW, or have a disability rating of 20% or higher, and joined the military from Alabama. The same benefits are offered to un-remarried spouses of a service member KIA, declared MIA, a POW, or has a disability rating of 100% and either joined the military from the state of Alabama or resided in Alabama for five years immediately prior to making application to the program. A spouse or widow of a veteran who meets the residency requirements and who has a disability rating of 20-90% can qualify for three years of higher education schooling without payment of tuition, required textbooks, or instructional fees.
Tuition Waiver- Purple Heart Recipients:
Institutions of higher learning within the state of Alabama, including two-year and four-year postsecondary technical colleges, community colleges, and junior colleges may waive tuition and fees for recipients of the Purple Heart for undergraduate studies. Contact the public institution that the recipient plans to attend for more information.
More info can be found at: http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home/Benefit_Library/State__Territory_Benefits/Alabama.html#edu
Alaska:
The spouse or dependent of a service member who died while in the line of duty or who died as a result of injuries sustained while in the line of duty or who was listed by the DoD as a POW or MIA is entitled to a waiver for undergraduate tuition and fees. The student must be in good standing at a state-supported educational institution in Alaska.
More info can be found at: http://veterans.alaska.gov/education-benefits.html
Arizona:
Beginning in the fall semester of 2011, a person who is honorably discharged from any of the armed services can be granted immediate classification as an in-state student. The in-state student status will remain in effect as long as the veteran is continually enrolled in a degree program and meets the following requirements:
Registers to vote in the state of Arizona and
Demonstrated objective evidence of the intent to be a resident of Arizona which includes one of the following:
an Arizona driver’s license
Arizona motor vehicle registration
Employment history in Arizona
Transfer of major banking services to Arizona
Change of permanent address on all pertinent records
Other materials of whatever kind or source relevant to domicile or residency status.
More info can be found at: https://dvs.az.gov/services/education
Arkansas:
The Arkansas Department of Higher Education has the authority to provide free tuition and fees to any state supported college, university, technical school, or vocational school; to the spouse and children of any Arkansan who has been declared a POW or MIA since January 1, 1960. The same provisions apply to the surviving spouse and children of any Arkansas resident killed in action since 1960.
More info can be found at: http://www.veterans.arkansas.gov/state-benefits.html
California:
College Tuition Fee Waivers for Veterans’ Dependents:
A waiver of mandatory system wide tuition and fees at any state of California Community College, California State University or University of California campus. This program does not cover the expense of books, parking or room and board. There are four plans under which dependents of veterans may be eligible.
Plan A: The child of a veteran who is totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities or whose death was officially rated as service-connected is eligible. The child must be over 14 years old and under 27 years old to be eligible. If the child is a veteran, then the age limit is extended to age 30. The spouse of a wartime veteran who has been rated as service-connected totally disabled is eligible. There are no age limit restrictions. The unmarried surviving spouse of a wartime veteran whose death has been rated as service-connected is eligible. There are no age limit restrictions. Any dependent of any veteran who has been declared MIA or POW is eligible. The veteran must have served at least one day of active duty during a period of war as declared by the U.S. Congress, or during any time in which the veteran was awarded a campaign or expeditionary medal. There are no income restrictions under this plan. To be eligible, the event which caused basic entitlement to benefits must have occurred prior to the child’s 21st birthday.
Plan B: The child of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, or had a service-connected disability at the time of death, or died of service-related causes is eligible. The child’s annual income, which includes the child’s adjusted gross income, plus the value of support provided by a parent, may not exceed the annual income limit. The current academic year entitlement is based upon the previous calendar year’s annual income. Under ‘Plan B’, wartime service is not required and there are no specific age requirements. Children are the only dependents eligible under this plan.
Plan C: Any dependent of any member of the California National Guard, who in the line of duty while on active service to the state, was killed, died of a disability resulting from an event that occurred while in active service to the state, or is permanently disabled as a result of an event that occurred in the service to the state is eligible. Surviving spouses who have not remarried are also eligible.
Plan D: Medal of Honor recipients and children of Medal of Honor recipients under the age of 27 may qualify. Benefits under ‘Plan D’ are limited to undergraduate studies only, and applicants are subject to both income and age restrictions.
More info can be found at: https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/College-Fee-Waiver.aspx
Non-Resident College Fee Waiver:
Waives non-resident fees at all state of California Community Colleges, California State University, or University of California campuses. A student who is a veteran of the US Armed Forces stationed in the state of California on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged is entitled to resident classification. This classification is valid for the length of time the veteran lives in the state after being discharged up to the minimum necessary time to become a resident. An undergraduate student who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in California on active duty is eligible, except a member of the armed forces assigned for educational purposes to a state-sponsored institution of higher education. An undergraduate student who is a natural or adopted child, stepchild, or spouse who is a dependent of a member of the armed forces stationed in California on active duty is eligible. A student seeking a graduate degree who is a member of the US Armed Forces stationed in California on active duty except a member of the armed forces assigned for education purposes to a state-supported institution of higher education, is eligible. There is a two-year limit for graduate-level studies A student seeking a graduate degree who is a natural or adopted child, stepchild, or spouse who is a dependent of a member of the US Armed Forces stationed in California on active duty is eligible. There is a one-year limit for graduate level studies.
More info can be found at: https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/Non-Resident-College-Fee-Waiver.aspx
Colorado:
None at this time
Connecticut:
Veterans may attend Connecticut Public Colleges and Universities tuition free. Connecticut statutes provide that tuition may be waived for qualified veterans attending the University of Connecticut, Connecticut State Universities, and the 12 Community-Technical Colleges. Waivers cover only the cost of tuition for credit-bearing undergraduate and graduate programs. Other charges, such as for books, student activity and course fees, parking, and room and board, are not waived. Tuition waivers for veterans cover 100% of tuition for General Fund courses at all public colleges and universities and 50% for Extension Fund and summer courses at Connecticut State Universities. To be eligible for veterans’ tuition benefits at any college or university, a veteran must be honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, served 90 days active duty during a time of war, and must have resided in Connecticut for at least one year upon enrolling in college.
Find more info at: http://www.ct.gov/ctva/cwp/view.asp?A=2014&Q=290874
Delaware:
Educational benefits are provided for the children of deceased veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or military service members classified as a POW or MIA. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age but not more than 24 years of age at the time of application and a resident of the state for at least three years prior to the date of application; attending or admitted for attendance at an educational institution beyond the high school level in a program not to exceed four years in duration. The ‘per pupil’ benefits may include funds for the payment of room, board, tuition and required institutional fees for an academic year.
More info can be found at: http://veteransaffairs.delaware.gov/benefits.shtml
Florida:
Scholarships for children and spouse of deceased or disabled veterans and service members:
Scholarships are provided for dependent children or un-remarried spouses of Florida veterans or service members who died as a result of service-connected injuries, diseases, or disabilities sustained while on active duty or who have been verified by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs as having service-connected 100% permanent and total disabilities. Scholarships may also be awarded to dependent children whose parent is classified as a POW or MIA or as civilian personnel captured while serving with the consent and authorization of the US Government during wartime service. The scholarships provide funds for tuition and registration fees at an eligible public postsecondary institution of the equivalent at an eligible private postsecondary institution. To qualify for the scholarship, the veteran parent must be a resident of Florida for one year immediately preceding time of death, determination of 100% disability, or POW/MIA status. The child or spouse applying for the scholarship must be a Florida resident, not have previously received a bachelor’s degree, be enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certification program for a minimum of six credit hours per term at an eligible participating postsecondary institution. If a dependent child is applying for the scholarship, he or she must be between the ages of 16 and 22.
More info can be found at: http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/CDDV.pdf
Waiver for recipients of Purple Heart of Superior Combat Decorations:
Provides a tuition and fee waiver to recipients of the Purple Heart or other combat decoration, superior in precedence if the recipient is enrolling in a Florida public community college or state university. The recipient must be enrolled full-time, part-time, or summer-school student in an undergraduate program of study leading to a degree or certificate and is currently, and at the time of the military action that resulted in the awarding of the Purple Heart of other superior combat decoration, a resident of Florida. The waiver is applicable for 110% of the number of required credit hours of the degree or certificate program for which the student is enrolled.
More info can be found at: http://www.fscj.edu/military-veterans/military-student-tuition-and-waivers
Georgia:
Georgia Military Scholarship:
This scholarship is worth $70,000 over four years. The State of Georgia offers forty-two scholarships per year to Georgia high school seniors who attend the University of North Georgia and commission as officers in the Georgia Army National Guard after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. The scholarship pays for the recipient’s room, meals, tuition, books, uniforms, and fees. In addition, the recipient receives National Guard weekend drill pay, GI Bill, pay for attending Army basic and advanced training, and Army ROTC contract pay. Effective 15 August 2005, GMS Scholarship recipients are non-deployable as long as they are enrolled and remain in good standing with North Georgia and the Georgia Army National Guard.
More info is available at: http://ung.edu/military-college-admissions/costs-financial-aid/scholarships-and-grants/georgia-military-scholarship.php
Hawaii:
None at this time
Idaho:
Operation Idaho Scholarship:
This scholarship is designed to financially assist severely injured U.S. military personnel and/or their spouses with continuing education. The program will provide needed resources which may include assistance with direct educational costs such as fees, tuition and textbooks, transportation, childcare and tutoring. When appropriate and given available funding, the program will assist with out-of-pocket medical expenses or other requirements to accommodate the special needs of the recipient.
MIA/POW Scholarship:
This scholarship is available for children of service members who have been listed as MIA or POW.
Purple Heart Scholarship:
This scholarship is available for a child, step-child, grandchild or great grandchild who is a direct descendant of either (1) a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart or (2) a veteran killed in action or a veteran who died of wounds but did not have the opportunity to join the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Idaho also offers resident student status to veterans (and in some cases their dependents) who move to Idaho for the purpose of establishing domicile within Idaho and a scholarship for dependents of Idaho’s members of the military service who are disabled as a result of injuries incurred while engaged in the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan.
More info can be found at: http://www.veterans.idaho.gov/benefits-a-services#EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
Illinois:
Educational Opportunities for Children (Ages 10-18):
Financial aid is provided annually to each child between the ages of 10 and 18 years of a veteran who died or became totally disabled as a result of service in the Armed Forces during World War I or II, the Korean or Vietnam Conflicts, the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. The financial aid applies to a state educational institution of elementary grade, high school or vocational training school.
An application can be found at: https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/Documents/childred-educational-opportunities.pdf
MIA/POW Scholarship:
The state of Illinois provides an education scholarship for the dependents of veterans who are either MIA, a POW, died while on active duty, 100% disabled due to service connected disabilities or died as a result of a service connected disabilities.
More information can be found at: https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/Documents/MIA-POW%20SCHOLARSHIP%20APPLICATION%20Il%20497-0472%20-07-2014.pdf
Illinois Veterans’ Grant:
This program pays tuition and certain fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities and community colleges for eligible Illinois veterans. An individual must: be an honorably discharged veteran; reside in Illinois six months before entering the service; have at least one full year of active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces; and return to Illinois within six months of discharge from the service. Applications and additional information are available from the Veterans’ Support Offices of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, college financial aid offices or the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
Children of Veterans Scholarship:
Each county in the state shall be entitled, annually, to one honorary scholarship at the University of Illinois, for the benefit of children of veterans of WWI, WWII, Korean War, the Vietnam conflict and any time on or after August 2, 1990, and until those persons in service are no longer eligible for the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Preference is given to the children of deceased and disabled veterans. Such children shall be entitled to receive, without charge for tuition, instruction in any or all departments of the University for a term of at least four consecutive years. Details may be obtained from the University of Illinois’ Financial Aid Office.
Indiana:
Free Tuition for the children of a Disabled Veteran (whose veteran parent initially entered military service on or before June 30, 2011):
The biological or legally adopted children of an eligible disabled veteran may be eligible for free tuition at any state-supported postsecondary school or university in the state of Indiana. This applies at any age as long as the child was adopted by age 24 and the child is a resident of Indiana. The free tuition is good for 124 semester hours of education and may be used for either undergraduate or graduate level work, but graduate work is reimbursed at the undergraduate level. The amount paid is 100% of tuition and all mandatory fees. The term “mandatory fees” is defined as any fee that must be paid by every student attending the institution. The veteran must have served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during a period of wartime, or performed duty equally hazardous that was recognized by the award of a service, campaign, or expeditionary medal of the United States. The veteran must also have been a resident of the state of Indiana for not less than 3 consecutive years during his/her lifetime and must be declared service-connected disabled or suffered a service connected death. Eligible wartime dates are: WWII: December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946; Korean War: June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955; Vietnam War: August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975; and Gulf War: August 2, 1990 to present.
More info is available at: http://www.in.gov/dva/2357.htm
Free Tuition for the children of a Disabled Veteran (whose veteran parent initially entered military service on or after July 1, 2011):
The biological or legally adopted children of an eligible disabled veteran may be eligible for free tuition at any state-supported post-secondary school or university in the state of Indiana. This applies at any age as long as the child was adopted by age 18 and the child is a resident of Indiana. The veteran must have served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during a time of war, or performed duty equally hazardous that was recognized by the award of a service, campaign, or expeditionary medal of the United States. The veteran must have originally entered military service from Indiana or must have been a resident of the state of Indiana for not less than 5 consecutive years immediately preceding the application. The veteran must be declared service-connected disabled or suffered a service connected death or the veteran received a Purple Heart Medal. The free tuition program is good for 124 semester hours of education and may be used for undergraduate level work only. Depending on the level of disability of the veteran the amount paid can be as much as 100% of tuition and all mandatory fees.
More info is available at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2014/ic/titles/021/articles/014/chapters/004/
Iowa:
Branstad/Reynolds Scholarship Fund:
The scholarship fund provides postsecondary educational scholarships for children of deceased military service members who died while in an active military status after September 11, 2001.
More info can be found at: https://go.dmacc.edu/fin_aid/pages/scholarships.aspx
War Orphan Tuition Assistance:
Children of Iowa veterans killed in action following September 11, 2001 are eligible for up to $11,844 per year in tuition assistance at an Iowa postsecondary institution. Children qualify up to the age of 26. Dependents of those killed in action prior to September 11, 2001 are eligible for $600 per year with a maximum of $3,000. Residency is required to receive this benefit.
More info can be found at: https://va.iowa.gov/images/War_Orphan_Instructions.pdf
Kansas:
Tuition Assistance:
The tuition to attend state universities, community colleges, or vocational technical colleges will be covered for dependents of Kansas residents who are killed in the line of duty while in the US Armed Forces or the Kansas National Guard. Tuition assistance is also provided for former Prisoners of War.
More info can be found at: http://kansastag.gov/NGUARD.asp?PageID=346
In-State Tuition for Military Family Members:
Any dependent of a service member stationed in Kansas may be determined to be residents for tuition and fee purposes. Their tuition status will not change to out of state as long as they are consecutively enrolled at a regent institution even if their sponsor’s status changes due to a new assignment. If a service member has retired or been honorably discharged from the military, the service member, his or her spouse and dependents may also be deemed to be residents for tuition and fee purposes if the service member had a permanent change of station order for active duty in Kansas during their military service and the service member and their dependents live in Kansas at the time of enrollment.
More info can be found at: http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home/Benefit_Library/State__Territory_Benefits/Kansas.html#edu
Refund or Credit for Tuition:
The Board of Regents has enacted a system-wide policy stating that when a member of the US Armed Forces who is a student in a Kansas regent institution is activated and must leave school, that person will be given a refund or credit for the tuition paid.
More info can be found at: http://kansastag.gov/NGUARD.asp?PageID=346
Kansas Military Service Scholarship:
The Kansas Military Service Scholarship is available for the payment of tuition and fees at a public Kansas institution for students who are a resident of Kansas and has: served in military service in international waters or on foreign soil in support of military operations at least 90 days after September 11, 2001, or served less than 90 days because of injuries during such military service and has received an honorable discharge or under honorable conditions from military service or is still in military service.
More info can be found at: http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home/Benefit_Library/State__Territory_Benefits/Kansas.html#edu
Kentucky:
Veteran Dependent Tuition Waiver:
A waiver of tuition is an education benefit provided by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in recognition of military service of certain Kentucky veterans. The tuition waiver is provided for children, stepchildren, adopted children, spouses, and un-remarried widows and widowers. An approved tuition waiver means a student may attend any two-year, four-year or vocational technical schools that are operated and funded by the Kentucky Department of Education. A dependent may qualify if the veteran: died on active duty, died as a direct result of a service connected disability as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs; is 100% service connected disabled; is totally disabled (non-service connected) with wartime service as deemed by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs or Department of Defense; or is deceased and lived in Kentucky at the time of death and served during a wartime period. Kentucky residency is a requirement for both the veteran and the applicant.
More info can be found at: http://veterans.ky.gov/Pages/HidPages/TuitionWaiver.aspx
Tuition Waiver for Disabled Child of Veteran:
The child of a veteran, regardless of age, who has acquired a disability as a direct result of the veteran’s service shall be eligible to receive a waiver of tuition upon admission to any state-sponsored university, college, or vocational training institute. To be entitled to benefits under this section, the child claiming benefits must have acquired a disability determined by the U.S. Veterans’ Administration as compensable. To entitle a child to benefit under this section the member of the National Guard or Reserve Component veteran living or deceased must have served on state active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training or the veteran must have served on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, and the discharge must have been under honorable conditions. The veteran must be a resident or, if deceased, must have been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
More info can be found at: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=4308
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship Awards:
Students who attend high school out-of-state are qualified for Kentucky educational excellence scholarship awards. Further, students whose parent or guardian is serving in the US military and who are enrolled in the University of Kentucky Pharmacy program may qualify for Kentucky educational excellence scholarship awards. To be eligible, a parent or guardian of the student must have served in the Armed Forces (Active, Reserve or National Guard component) and be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and maintains Kentucky as his or her home of record.
More info can be found at: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=4447
Louisiana:
The State Aid Program- Dependents Educational Assistance:
Financial aid is available for children and surviving spouses of certain veterans who died in service in the U.S. Armed Forces or died of a service connected disability incurred during a wartime period. The same benefits are available for those children of living veterans who are rated 90% or above disabled, including 100% individual un-employability, by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs as a result of a disability or disabilities incurred in service in the Armed Forces of the United States. The eligible person may attend any state supported college, university, trade or vocational technical school and is exempt from paying tuition and school imposed fees. Students are eligible for four years of schooling to be completed in not more than five years. The law requires that the deceased veteran must have been a resident of the state of Louisiana for at least 12 months immediately preceding entry into service. The living veteran must have resided in the state not less than 24 months immediately preceding the child’s admission into the program. The surviving spouse must use this program within ten years of the date eligibility is established. A child must be between the ages of 16 and 25.
More info can be found at: http://wwwprd.doa.louisiana.gov/laservices/publicpages/ServiceDetail.cfm?service_id=3403
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series to find out the education benefits for more U.S. States.