States Offering Free Tuition to Veterans and Their Dependents
Here is a list of States that have recognized the sacrifices of Veterans and their families, by providing Veterans and/or their dependents free college tuition. Unless otherwise stated assume that the free tuition applies only to Public schools.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
As always, please be sure to check the references for full details and any applicable restrictions. Often States require the Veteran and/or their dependents be residents of the State for X years to be eligible.
NOTES:
This list is for State's offering FREE (entire) tuition, not States that may offer partial grants or scholarships.
For Veterans who have been rated Permanent & Total, each of of your dependents (spouse and children 18-26 years old) are eligible for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA). This is a monthly stipend benefit of ~$1,200 if they are full time.
Benefits specific to National Guard members and their dependents are NOT included in this list.
Last updated December 2024.
Legend
'PT' = Permanent & Total
'100%' = Combined Total Rating of 100%
'TDIU' = Total Disability Individual Unemployability
'≥X' = Combined Total Rating greater or equal to X%
'KIA' = Killed in Action
'SD' = Veteran died from a Service-Connected disability
'NSD' = Veteran died from a Non or Service-Connected disability
'POW' = Former Prisoner of War
'PH' = Purple Heart
'MH' = Congressional Medal of Honor
'Vet' = Honorarily discharged Veteran. Periods of service may apply
'-' = Not ApplicableStates
| State | Veteran | Spouse | Children | Details | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | PH | ≥40%, KIA, SD, POW | ≥40%, KIA, SD, POW | Dependents: Up to 10 semesters of schooling (undergrad). PH: Undergrad program. | Alabama G. I. Program PH |
| Alaska | - | KIA | KIA | Undergrad degree. | AK Stat § 14.43.085 |
| Arizona | (PH ≥50%) | KIA | KIA | Must have been a member of the AZNG when PH was recieved. | KIA/PH |
| Arkansas | - | KIA, POW, PT | KIA, POW, PT | Undergrad degree. | Military Dependents Scholarship |
| California | MH | 100%, KIA, SD, POW | ≥0, KIA, SD, POW, MH | Has several 'Plans'. | CalVet |
| Colorado | - | - | - | - | - |
| Connecticut | Vet | - | POW | For State Regional Community/Technical Colleges and State Universities. | CT Gen Stat § 10a-77 |
| Delaware | - | - | KIA, POW, SD | 4 years of study. | Title 14, Ch 34, Sec 3451-3455 |
| Florida | MH, PH, * | POW, PT, SD | POW, PT, SD | Dependents: Must not already have a baccalaureate degree. | Dependents MH, PH, * |
| Georgia | - | - | - | - | - |
| Hawaii | - | - | - | - | - |
| Idaho | - | - | - | - | - |
| Illinois | Vet | POW, PT, SD | POW, PT, SD | Dependents: Up to 120 credit hours. | IL |
| Indiana | PH | - | ≥0%, SD, PH | Up to 124 semester credit-hours in undergrad, grad, or professional level. | ≥0%, SD PH PH Vet |
| Iowa | - | - | KIA | - | War Orphans |
| Kansas | POW, Vet | KIA, POW, SD | KIA, POW, SD | 10 semesters of undergrad. | KS Vet |
| Kentucky | - | KIA, SD, 100%, (NSD wartime service) | KIA, SD, 100%, (NSD wartime service) | Deceased Veteran must have been a Kentucky resident at the time of death. | Kentucky Tuition Waiver |
| Louisiana | - | ≥90%, KIA, SD, TDIU | ≥90%, KIA, SD, TDIU | Four years of schooling to be completed in not more than five years. | RS 288-29 |
| Maine | - | KIA, POW, PT, SD, (PT NSD) | KIA, POW, PT, SD, (PT NSD) | 120 credit hours for an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree program. | Title 37 |
| Maryland | ≥30% | KIA, POW, (PT NSD) | KIA, PT, (PT NSD), SD, POW | ≥30%: If Veteran has exhausted or is no longer eligible for Federal Veterans’ educational benefits. | Conroy Memorial Scholarship |
| Massachusetts | Vet | - | - | Full or partial waiver of tuition. Determination is up to the individual instituitions. | Mass Full or partial |
| Michigan | - | - | - | - | - |
| Minnesota | - | KIA, SD | KIA, SD | Up to a bachelor's. | MVA |
| Mississippi | - | - | - | - | - |
| Missouri | - | ≥80%, KIA, SD | ≥80%, KIA, SD | Disabilities MUST stem from combat. | Wartime Vet |
| Montana | Vet | - | KIA | Associate or initial bachelor's degree. | MT |
| Nebraska | - | PT, SD, POW, (TDIU PT) | PT, SD, POW, (TDIU PT) | Undergrad. | NRS §80-411 |
| Nevada | PH | KIA, POW | KIA, POW | Waiver of registration fees = free tuition. | NSHE |
| New Hampshire | - | - | KIA, PT, SD | Child can also receive a $2,500 a year stipend. | NH Rev Stat § 187-A, NH Rev Stat § 188-F:15, NH Rev Stat § 193 |
| New Jersey | - | - | POW | Undergrad. | NJ |
| New Mexico | Vet | - | SD | Vet: Max rate of undergrad tuition. But can be used to partially cover grad tuition. | Vet SD |
| New York | Vet, PT | PT, SD | PT, SD | Undergrad. | Vet MERIT |
| North Carolina | - | - | KIA, PH, POW, NSD, ≥20%, PT Pension | See reference for the various 'Classes'. | NC Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans |
| North Dakota | - | POW, SD, 100%, TDIU | KIA, POW, SD, 100%, TDIU | Up to bachelor's degree. | 15-10-18.3 |
| Ohio | - | - | - | Children: ≥60%, KIA, POW, SD, PT Pension 79% off tuition and general fees (this % off varies by year). | Severely Disabled Veteran’s Scholarship |
| Oklahoma | POW | - | KIA, POW | POW: Any state-supported technology career center. | KIA POW |
| Oregon | - | SD, 100%, PH, (PH NSD) | SD, 100%, PH, (PH NSD) | Bachelor's or master's degree. | Oregon Veterans Dependent Tuition Program |
| Pennsylvania | - | - | KIA | - | PHEAA |
| Rhode Island | ≥10% | - | - | Does not cover fees. | RI Gen L § 30-30.1-1 |
| South Carolina | - | - | KIA, MH, PH, POW, PT, SD | Veteran need reside in state for at least a year prior. | SECTION 59-111-20 |
| South Dakota | ≥10%, Vet | POW | KIA, POW | Undergrad. | SD |
| Tennessee | - | - | - | - | - |
| Texas | Vet | KIA, PT, SD, TDIU, Vet | KIA, PT, SD, TDIU, Vet | Has various requirements. | TEC §54.341 (Hazlewood Act) |
| Utah | PH | KIA | KIA | PH: Up to and including a master’s degree. | KIA PH |
| Vermont | - | KIA | KIA | Up to 18 credit hours per semester, up to a maximum of 130 credits. | Vermont Armed Services Scholarship |
| Virginia | - | ≥90%, KIA, POW | ≥90%, KIA, POW | 8 semesters or the equivalent of up to 4 academic years. | DEP |
| Washington | Vet | 100%, KIA, POW, SD | 100%, KIA, POW | Dependents: 200 quarter undergrad credits or equivalent semester credits. Waivers for graduate credits are encouraged but not required. | WVA |
| West Virginia | PH, MH | KIA, SD | KIA, SD | Dependents: May also receive $2,000 a year stipend. | Dependents PH, MH |
| Wisconsin | Vet | ≥30%, KIA, SD | ≥30%, KIA, SD | Read Reference there are a few different scenarios and criteria. | Wisconsin Statues §36.27(3n) |
| Wyoming | Combat Vet | KIA, POW, SD | KIA, POW, SD | 8 semesters within an 8-year period. | W.S. 19-14-106 |
*Other medals include:
Navy Cross / Air Force Cross / Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Medal with Combat “V Device”
Silver Star
Legion of Merit with Combat “V Device”
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star with Combat “V Device”
Federal District
| District | Veteran | Spouse | Children | Details | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (DC) | - | - | - | - | - |