2015-02-28

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 myself 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 is 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 two covers Maine through Oregon.  Part one can be found here: http://www.armywifenetwork.com/education-benefits-for-active-duty-veterans-dependents-part-1/.  If you don’t see your state listed here or in the previous blog which covered Alabama through Louisiana, 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 it on my list.

Maine:

Veterans Dependents Education Benefits Program

Benefits under this program include waiver of tuition and related fees for qualified dependents of certain disabled or deceased veterans.  Schools covered under this program include the University of Maine, Maine Community Colleges and Maine Maritime Academy.  Eligibility requires that the veteran must have been a resident of Maine at the time of entry into the service or a resident of Maine for five years preceding application for benefits.  The beneficiary must be a child, stepchild, legally adopted child, or spouse of the veteran.  Children applying for the program must be at least 16 years of age; a high school graduate; enrolled in a degree program prior to age 22; and has not reached the age of 26 at the time of application.  The spouse seeking benefits must be currently legally married to a living veteran or the widow or widower of a deceased veteran, not previously divorced from the veteran.  In order for a veteran’s dependents to receive the benefits of this program, the veteran must have a total permanent disability resulting from a service-connected disability; have been killed in action; died from a service-connected disability as a result of service; at the time of death was totally or permanently disabled due to service-connected disability, but whose death was not related to the service-connected disability; or is a member of the Armed Forces on active duty who has been listed for more than 90 days as missing in action, captured or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.

More information can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/dvem/bvs/VDEB2_BENEFITS%20BROCHURE.pdf.

Maryland:

Edward T Conroy Memorial Scholarship

Aid for tuition and other educational expenses are available for veterans and their family members who are attending an institution of higher learning with the state of Maryland.  You must be: the son or daughter of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who died or was 100 percent disabled as a direct result of military service; 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; the son, daughter, or surviving spouse of a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack who died as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the attack on the Pentagon in Virginia, or the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania; a POW/MIA of the Vietnam conflict or his/her son or daughter.

More information can be found at: http://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialaid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_conroy.asp.

Veterans of the Afghanistan & Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program

This program is designed to provide financial assistance to U.S. Armed Forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, and their sons, daughters, or spouses who are current high school seniors, and full-time or part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled in an eligible accredited Maryland post-secondary institution.  To be eligible for the program, the servicemember must have served in Afghanistan on or after October 24, 2001, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the United States Secretary of Defense; or in Iraq on or after March 19, 2003, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the United States Secretary of Defense.  The service member must be a veteran who served at least 60 days in the Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts; an active duty member of the Armed Forces who served at least 60 days in the Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts; a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces or the Maryland National Guard who was activated as a result of the Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts and served at least 60 days; or a son, daughter, or spouse of any of the above.

More information can be found at: http://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_vaic.asp.

Massachusetts:

UMass Boston and Suffolk University Upward Bound Program

This program provides an opportunity for veterans of all ages to gain access to information about college and career awareness, acquire the academic skills required for entry into higher education and/or to acquire the equivalent of a high school diploma.  In order to qualify, the veteran must be a U.S. citizen; have served over 180 days of active military duty; have a military discharge other than dishonorable; and have academic need.  Applicants also must meet one of the following criteria: they must be a potential first-generation college graduate or they must meet income guidelines based on federal taxable income and family size.

More information can be found at: http://www.mass.gov/veterans/education/vet-upward-bound/.

Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund

This program was established to help the children of Massachusetts service members who have died while deployed on Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  The program is designed to grant funds for current and future college students whose parent’s “home of record” at the Department of Defense was Massachusetts.  There is no selection process.  Every child who applies and qualifies receives funds.  The recipients must file applications establishing that they are qualified and they must remain enrolled in the undergraduate or postgraduate program at a college or university.

More information can be found at: http://www.mass.gov/veterans/education/for-family/mslf.html.

Michigan:

Children of Veterans Tuition Grant

Upon admission to a Michigan institution of higher education, the eligible student may be eligible for tuition waiver up to $2,800 annually for undergraduate study.  Children older than 16 and less than 26 years of age who have been Michigan residents for the 12 months prior to application (of a Michigan veteran who was killed, died as a result of service-connected disabilities, is rated 100% disabled by the Veterans Affairs or is listed as MIA).  Stepchildren are not eligible.

More information can be found at: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mistudentaid/CVTGFactSheet_271497_7.pdf.

Minnesota:

Higher Education Veterans Program

This program helps connect veterans with educational benefits and resources to succeed in college.  The program provides on-site comprehensive information about benefits and resources as well as creating institutional readiness in support of the unique needs of these students.  The program provides staff at colleges and universities throughout Minnesota to help identify and remove barriers to veterans’ enrollment and access to benefits, as well as to create and manage campus veterans resource centers.

More information can be found at: http://mn.gov/mdva/resources/education/higheredveteransprograms.jsp.

Veteran Education Assistance

This program provides assistance to veterans in the form of a one-time $750 grant for tuition to veterans who have exhausted all of their GI Bill benefits to assist with completing a bachelor’s degree.  This grant is paid directly to the institution or may be reimbursed to the veteran upon verification that tuition has been paid.  To be eligible, the applicant must meet the following criteria: the veteran must have been a resident of the state of Minnesota at the time of entry into the Armed Forces and for six months immediately preceding entry and must be a citizen of the United States and a current resident of Minnesota.  Veterans who have allowed their federal educational benefits to expire without completely using them do not qualify for this program.

More information can be found at: http://mn.gov/mdva/resources/education/vea.jsp.

War Orphan Education Program

This program serves eligible children of Minnesota veterans who died while on active duty military service or as a result of injuries or disease incurred while on active duty military service.  Eligible child means a person who is the natural or adopted child or stepchild of a deceased veteran.  Children are eligible for “tuition free status” at any state college level institution except the University of Minnesota.  In addition, $750 per year is available for school related expenses.  The deceased veteran parent must have been a resident of Minnesota at the time of entry into active duty military service and the dependent child must have been a resident for two years immediately prior to application.

More information can be found at: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=197.75&format=pdf.

Minnesota G.I. Bill

This program provides post-secondary educational assistance to eligible Minnesota veterans, non-veterans who served in the military and eligible spouses and children.  Full-time undergraduate and graduate students may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 per semester and part-time students receive up to $500 per semester.  In order to qualify, you must be a Minnesota resident under the age of 62, enrolled at a Minnesota college or university and meet one of the following requirements: be a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch of the United States Armed Forces at any time; or a non-veteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces and any part of that service occurred on or after September 11, 2001; or a surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who has died or has a total and permanent disability as a direct result of that military service.

More information can be found at: http://mn.gov/mdva/resources/education/minnesotagibill.jsp.

Surviving Spouse & Dependent Education Benefit

Allows admission to Minnesota post-secondary education institutions either operated by Minnesota or is operated publicly or privately and maintains academic standards substantially equivalent to those of comparable institutions operated in Minnesota.  Surviving spouses and dependents will be able to attend free of tuition until he/she obtains a bachelor’s degree.  In addition, $750 is paid to the student per year for fees, books and supplies, and/or room and board.  This program is available to spouses and dependents, including adopted and stepchildren, whose veteran spouse and/or veteran parent died while on active duty, or as a result of a service-connected condition.  The veteran must have been a resident of Minnesota when entering the U.S. military, or have been a resident of Minnesota for at least six months prior to passing away due to a service connected disability.  Applicants must be Minnesota residents and the spouse cannot be remarried.  There is no age limitation for this program.

More information can be found at: http://mn.gov/mdva/resources/education/survivingspousebenefit.jsp.

Mississippi:

In-State Tuition for Servicemembers Stationed in Mississippi

Military personnel stationed in Mississippi and their dependents are classified as state residents for the purposes of payment of tuition at state colleges and universities, such classification shall terminate upon their reassignment for duty elsewhere in the continental United States.

More information can be found at: http://www.legion.org/education/statebenefits/mississippi.

Missouri:

Wartime Veteran’s Survivors Grant Program

This grant is provided annually to children and spouses of veterans whose death or injuries were a result of combat action or were attributed to an illness that was contracted while serving in combat action, or who became 80% disabled as a result of injuries or accidents sustained in combat action since September 11, 2001.  The total number of grants awarded each year shall not exceed 25.  The veteran must have been a Missouri resident when first entering the military or at the time of death or injury.  To be eligible, the dependent must meet the following eligibility requirements at the time of application and throughout the period in which they receive the award: be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or otherwise lawfully present in the United States; be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at least half-time in a participating college or university; be the veteran’s spouse at the time of death or injury or the veteran’s child; be less than 25 years of age if you are the veteran’s child.  Students applying for a renewal of benefits must continue to meet the eligibility requirements for initial students and must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and maintain satisfactory academic process as defined by the school.

More information can be found at: http://dhe.mo.gov/ppc/grants/wartimevetsurvivor.php.

Montana:

War Orphans Waiver

A tuition waiver is available upon approval of the Commission of Higher Education, for children aged 25 or less, whose parent(s) served on active duty during World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts.  Such members of the armed forces must have been Montana residents at the time of entry into the service, and must have been killed in action or died as a result of combat related injury, disease, or other disability.

Honorable Discharge Veteran Tuition Waiver

To be eligible, the student must have been honorably discharged from the service and have served with the U.S. Armed Forces in any of its wars.  The person must be a resident of the state of Montana.

More information on both of these programs can be found at: http://mus.edu/Prepare/Pay/Tuition_and_Fee_Waivers.asp.

Nebraska:

Waiver of Tuition Program

The University of Nebraska, the Nebraska State College System, and the Nebraska Community College System participate in a waiver of tuition program that will provide a credit of 100% of tuition charges (books and fees are not covered) for spouses and children of eligible veterans.  The waiver of tuition is available to eligible dependents of veterans who: are rated permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service; or have died of a service connected disability; or have died subsequent to discharge as a result of injury or illness sustained while a member of the armed forces; or have been classified as missing in action or a prisoner of war during armed hostilities while a member of the armed forces.  A dependent is a spouse or un-remarried widow, child, stepchild, or adopted child of an eligible veteran.  The dependent must be a Nebraska resident and enrolled in one of the approved institutions.  The waiver is valid for one degree, diploma, or certificate from a community college, and one bachelor’s degree from the university or a state college.  A child dependent’s eligibility will cease at the age of 26.

More information can be found at: http://www.veterans.nebraska.gov/waiver.html.

Nevada:

Waiver of Fees for Spouse or Child of Member of Armed Forces Who is MIA or POW

The University of Nevada may grant waiver of registration fees and laboratory fees for a spouse or child of a person who is identified as a prisoner of war or missing in action while performing his or her duties as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.  The applicant must attend a school within the system as a full-time or part-time student.  A child may use a waiver granted for 10 years after the child attains the age of 18.  A widow or widower may use a waiver granted for 10 years after the date on which the servicemember was identified as a prisoner of war or missing in action.  The applicant must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average.

More information can be found at: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-396.html#NRS396Sec5445.

New Hampshire:

Free Tuition for Children of Missing in Action

The child of a missing person who was a resident of New Hampshire serving in the US Armed Forces after February 28, 1961, is entitled to free tuition at a vocational-technical college so long as said missing person is so reported/listed as missing, captured, etc.

Free Tuition for Children of Killed in Action

The children of military members who die in service during wartime, and children of certain wartime veterans who die from a service-connected disability, may qualify for free tuition at New Hampshire public institutions of higher learning.  A scholarship for board, room, rent, books and supplies up to $2,500 per year for a period of no more than 4 years is available.

More information about both programs can be found at: http://www.nh.gov/nhveterans/benefits/education.htm.

New Jersey:

none at this time

New Mexico:

Vietnam Veterans’ Scholarship Award

Scholarship for resident undergraduate and graduate students that provides tuition, fees, and book allowances to Vietnam veterans certified by the New Mexico Veterans’ Service Commission.  Each scholarship is for a period of one year and can be renewed if the student maintains satisfactory academic progress.  Students must be a resident of New Mexico; a Vietnam veteran; honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces; a resident of New Mexico at original time of entry in the armed forces or who has lived in New Mexico for ten years or more; and been awarded the Vietnam campaign medal for services in the armed forces in Vietnam on or after August 5, 1964.

More information can be found at: http://www.hed.state.nm.us/students/vietnam-veterans-scholarship.aspx.

Children of Deceased Veterans Scholarship

Full tuition waiver at any state funded post-secondary school.  A $150 stipend, per semester, will be issued to help with books or fees.  Children selected must be between the ages of 16 and 26 and enrolled in a state supported school.  The parent of the child must have been a veteran of the Armed Forces and a resident of New Mexico at the original time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces.  The veteran must have been killed in action or as a result of such action during a period of armed conflict.

More information can be found at: http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/forms/ChildScholarshipApp.pdf.

Apprenticeship Training

New Mexico offers apprenticeship and theoretical training programs for qualified veterans who can receive their GI Bill benefits while working full-time and earning a salary.  Qualified veterans sign a contract establishing the length and scope of the training.  Businesses and programs participating in a veteran’s apprenticeship program must require a participating veteran to spend a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, along with a minimum 144 hours per year of related instruction.

More information can be found at: http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/benefits.html.

Wartime Veteran Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is available to any veteran who has served in combat since 1990 and who has exhausted all available federal GI Bill education benefit options.  This scholarship is available to veterans who have been residents of New Mexico for a minimum of ten years and who were awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal or any other medal issued for service in the U.S. Armed Forces in support of any US military campaign or armed conflict as defined by congress or presidential executive order for service after August 1, 1990.

More information can be found at: http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/forms/WartimeVeteranScholarshipFund.pdf.

New York:

Veterans Tuition Awards

Awards for full-time study and part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated in an approved program at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.  For full-time study, a recipient shall receive an award of up to the full cost of undergraduate tuition for New York state residents at the State University of New York, or actual tuition charged, whichever is less.  Full-time study is defined as twelve or more credits per semester at a degree-granting institution or 24 or more hours per week in a vocational training program.  For part-time study, awards will be prorated by credit hour.  Part-time study is defined as at least three but fewer than twelve credits per semester at a degree-granting institution, or six to twenty-three hours per week in a vocational training program.  Eligible students are those who are New York residents discharged under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed Forces and who are: Vietnam veterans who served in Indochina between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975; Persian Gulf veterans who served in the Persian Gulf on or after August 2, 1990; Afghanistan veterans who served in Afghanistan on or after September 11, 2001; veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in hostilities that occurred after February 28, 1961 and who received an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal or a Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.  Veterans must also be New York state residents; be US citizens or eligible noncitizens; be matriculated full or part-time at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution in New York state or in an approved vocational training program in New York state; have applied to the Tuition Assistance Program for full-time undergraduate or graduate study; have graduated high school in the United States or earned a GED; meet good academic standing requirements; be charged at least $200 tuition per year; not be in default or state made student loan or on any repayment of state awards.

More information can be found at: http://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/veterans-tuition-awards.html.

Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarship

Provides financial aid to veterans, children, spouses, and financial dependents of members of the U.S. Armed Forces who while New York state residents, died or became severely and permanently disabled while engaged in hostilities or training for hostilities.  This award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study (or five years in an approved five year bachelor’s degree program) and includes the following: tuition, an amount equal to your actual tuition or the State University of New York’s in-state, whichever is less; non-tuition costs, these include room and board and allowances for books, supplies and transportation up to the average cost at SUNY Colleges; and residence, a student living on campus will receive a higher room and board allowance than a commuter student.  While receiving the scholarship, students must: study at an approved post-secondary institution in New York State; have graduated from high school in the United States or have a high school equivalency diploma; be enrolled as a full-time student taking 12 or more credits per semester; be matriculated in an approved degree program; be in good academic standing; and not be in default on any State or federal student loan or on any repayment of state awards.

More information can be found at: http://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/msrs-scholarship.html.

NYS Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans

These awards provide financial aid to students whose parent(s) served in the US Armed Forces during specified times of national emergency.  It provides $450 per year.  Students whose parent(s) served in the US Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency and, as a result of service, either died, suffered a 40% or more disability, was classified as missing in action, or was a prisoner of war.  The veteran must currently be a New York state resident or have been a New York state resident at the time of death  Students whose parent(s) was the recipient of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, or the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for participation in operations in Lebanon, Grenada, or Panama are also eligible.

More information can be found at: http://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/nys-regents-awards-for-children-of-deceased-and-disabled-veterans.html.

North Carolina:

In-State Tuition for Non-Resident Servicemembers

Any member of the Armed Services qualifying for admission to an institution of higher education, but not qualifying as a resident for tuition purposes shall be charged the in-state tuition rate for enrollments while a member of Armed Services in the state.  A dependent who shares the abode of a member of the Armed Services who is in North Carolina on active duty also qualifies for in-state tuition.

More information can be found at: http://www.nccu.edu/admissionsandaid/tuitionandfees/residency.cfm.

Scholarships for Children of Diasbled, MIA/POW or KIA Veterans

A four-year scholarship program at approved schools in North Carolina has been established for the qualifying natural or adopted (before age 15) children of a veteran parent who was a legal resident of North Carolina at the time of his/her entrance into the Armed Services.  At the time of application, the student must be under 25 years of age and a resident of North Carolina.

More information can be found at: http://www.doa.nc.gov/vets/benefitslist.aspx?pid=scholarships.

North Dakota:

Free Tuition to Qualified Dependents in North Dakota Institution of Higher Education

Any dependent of a resident veteran who was killed in action or died from wounds or other service-connected causes, was totally disabled as a result of service-connected causes, died from service-connected disabilities, was a prisoner of war, or was declared missing in action is eligible for this award.  The student, upon being accepted for enrollment into any North Dakota state-supported institution of higher education or state-supported technical or vocational school, must be allowed to obtain a bachelor’s degree or certificate of completion, for so long as the dependent is eligible, free of any tuition and fee charges provided that the bachelor’s degree or certificate of completion is earned within a forty-five month or ten semester period; and further that tuition and fee charges shall not include costs for aviation flight charges or expenses.

More information can be found at: http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/63-2013/documents/13-8207-04000.pdf?20150227062509.

Veterans Upward Bound Program

An individualized educational program for veterans who want to obtain academic preparation before entering or during post-secondary education.  Coursework in English, computer literacy, mathematics, science, and reading is designed to prepare veterans for successful participation in post-secondary education.  The program also offers GED test preparation for veterans lacking a high school diploma.  In addition to academic coursework, the program provides advising and referral services.  Veterans may be eligible to receive educational benefits while attending the program.

More information can be found at: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/triovub/index.html.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program

This program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans.  The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits.  These benefits may be used for degree or certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.  Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.  In order to be eligible the recipient must be the son, daughter, or spouse of: a veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability; a veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence; a service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force; a service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power; or a service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability.

More information can be found at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/DEA.asp.

Ohio:

Ohio War Orphans Scholarship

This 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.  Applicants must be enrolled for full-time undergraduate study at an eligible Ohio college or university pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree; be an Ohio resident; and must be under the age of 25.

More information can be found at: https://www.ohiohighered.org/ohio-war-orphans.

MIA/POW Orphans Scholarship

Payment of instructional and general fees and reasonable and necessary expenses for room and board, books, and lab fees to maximum of four academic years of undergraduate education.  Applicants must be between the age of 16-21; attending Ohio public assisted institutions of higher education, eligible non-profit private institution of higher education or proprietary school; and be an Ohio resident for 12 months prior to application or, if parent does not meet residence requirements, five years prior to application.

More information can be found at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/veterans/information/reserves/miapow_Orphan.stm.

Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund

This program provides tuition assistance to the children and spouses of peace officers, firefighters, and certain other safety officers who are killed in the line of duty, anywhere in the United States.  It also provides assistance to the children and spouses of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who has been killed in the line of duty during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom or a combat zone designated by the President of the United States.  The child is only eligible for this program if he/she is not eligible for the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship.  The fund will provide benefits which cover 100% instructional and general fee charges at public colleges and universities and a comparable amount at private and proprietary post-secondary institutions.  The recipient must be an Ohio resident.  Funding is for ten semesters or 15 quarters (up to five years or until a bachelor’s degree is obtained).

More information can be found at: https://ohiohighered.org/safety-officers-college-fund.

Oklahoma:

College Credit for Service

Oklahoma state law (Oklahoma Statutes Section 4100 Title 59) allows Oklahoma colleges, university and technology centers to provide academic credit to a military veteran honorably discharged in the previous three years for any applicable education, training and experience received through military duty that pertains to his or her area of study.  The law also helps spouses of active duty military find employment easier by requiring agencies, boards and commissions to develop procedures to expedite the licensure of military spouse applicants.

More information can be found at: http://www.oksenate.gov/news/press_releases/press_releases_2012/pr20120501a.html.

Tuition Free Technology and Technical Education

This program is available to any Oklahoma veteran or dependent of any Oklahoma veteran who was missing in action or a prisoner of war.  The program waives the tuition at any state-supported technology career center school in the state of Oklahoma operating under the State Board of Career and Technology Education.  The Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology-Okmulgee shall be excluded from the provisions of this act.

More information can be found at: http://www.oscn.net/applications/OCISWeb/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=89115.

Heroes Promise

A special tuition scholarship for children of Oklahoma military personnel that were killed in action after January 1, 2000 or who died after January 1, 2000, as a result of an injury sustained while in the line of duty in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.  Heroes Promise will help pay the student’s tuition at a public community college or university.  It will also cover a portion of tuition at an accredited Oklahoma private college or university or for courses at a public technology centers that are approved for credit toward an Associate in Applied Science degree at a public college.  The scholarship is good for up to five years or until the student completes a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.  The final amount of the scholarship will vary depending on where the student attends college, the tuition rates in effect at that time and whether he or she attends full time or less.  The parent of the student must have filed an individual or joint Oklahoma income tax return for the tax year prior to the year during which the person was killed or died.  The student must be an Oklahoma resident and must be enrolled within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education prior to reaching the age of 21.

More information can be found at: https://secure.okcollegestart.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/Scholarships/Military_Scholarships/Heroes_Promise_Scholarship_Program.aspx.

Oregon:

Veteran Education Aid Program (Available June 2015)

Education benefits for Oregon veterans to pursue an approved course of study or professional training in or in connection with any accredited state or other public school or accredited private school or accredited college.  Benefits are paid for as many months as the veteran spent in active service, up to a maximum of 36 months.  Eligible veterans are entitled to receive up to $150 per month.  Eligible veterans must: have served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for not less than 90 days; have been released from military service under honorable conditions; be a resident of Oregon when applying for the program; be a US citizen; and has served during the Korean War (June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955) or after June 30, 1958.

More information can be found at: http://www.oregon.gov/odva/BENEFITS/Pages/OregonEducationBenefit.aspx.

Veterans’ Dependent Tuition Waiver

This benefit is offered by the State of Oregon University System and local community colleges and provides full tuition waiver (not fees) for a bachelor’s or master’s degree at an OUS Institution for a child or spouse of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who either died in active duty, became 100% disabled in connection with military service, or died as a result of a disability sustained in active duty.

More information can be found at: http://www.ous.edu/files/stucoun/prospstu/files/VeteransDependentTuitionWaiverEligibilityInformationAndInstructions_4.pdf.

Show more