Key Points
- There are Federal and state education benefits available for veterans, spouses, and their families.
- Some state benefits stack on top of federal benefits, while others do not.
- Navigating federal and state Veterans Benefits can be confusing and difficult for families.
Between federal GI Bill programs and state-level tuition waivers, veterans and their dependents have access to education benefits that can dramatically reduce (or even eliminate) the cost of college. The key is knowing what exists, how to stack benefits, and where to apply.
This article covers the major federal education benefits available to veterans and their families, followed by a state-by-state breakdown of the most generous tuition waivers currently available across the country.
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Federal Veterans Education Benefits
Before looking at state programs, it helps to understand the federal benefits that serve as the foundation. Many state benefits can be used alongside federal programs for significant cost savings.
Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most widely used federal education benefit. It provides up to 36 months of education benefits to veterans who served at least 90 days of aggregate active duty after September 10, 2001. Benefits include tuition and fees paid directly to the school (up to the in-state maximum at public institutions), a monthly housing allowance, and a books and supplies stipend.
Tip: The Veterans Choice Act may entitle you to in-state tuition rates even if you haven’t lived in the state where your school is located, as long as you are using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Some schools extend these rates even after federal benefits are fully used. Check with individual schools for their policy.
Click here to apply for Chapter 33 benefits
Chapter 35: Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
Chapter 35 is different from Chapter 33. It provides a monthly stipend to dependents and survivors of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled (100% rating) due to a service-connected condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected condition.
The current full-time rate is $1,574 per month (October 2025 through September 2026). Three-quarter time pays $1,243/month, and half-time pays $910/month.
This is where stacking gets powerful: Chapter 35 can be used alongside most state tuition waivers listed below. If your state waives tuition and you also receive the Chapter 35 monthly stipend, your out-of-pocket costs for college can drop to near zero.
Key details about Chapter 35:
- Monthly stipend paid directly to the student
- Check expiration dates for spouses and dependents
- Click here to apply for Chapter 35
- Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility and submit it to your School Certifying Official
- You must verify enrollment every month by text, email, online, or phone call
- Contact the VA Education Center with questions: 888-442-4551
- High schoolers may receive 5 extra months of benefits
Fry Scholarship
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. Benefits are similar to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, including tuition, fees, a housing allowance, and a books stipend.
Click here to apply for the Fry Scholarship
Prep Courses, Licensing, and Certification Tests
The GI Bill can also cover certain licensing and certification tests. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to search for approved tests. Select “Both” on the LAC Category Type dropdown to see the full list. Over 2,000 tests are covered, including:
- NCLEX (Nursing License)
- Barber, Cosmetology, and Esthetician exams
- Bar Exam Review Courses
- CISCO, CompTIA A+
- Teaching certifications (Virginia, California, Texas, and others)
How to Verify Your School Is Certified
To confirm a school or university is approved for VA education benefits, use the GI Bill Comparison Tool. Once results appear, click on your school’s name and scroll near the bottom of the page. The School Certifying Official (SCO) and their contact information will be listed there.
If you need help, contact your State Approving Agency (SAA). According to the VA, SAAs are generally responsible for approving education and training programs in their states. They serve as the pathway for a program’s recognition as eligible for VA education benefit payments. Schools seeking to offer VA-eligible training should start by contacting their SAA.
Important Tips Before Using Federal Benefits
- In-state tuition: You may be eligible for in-state rates through the Veterans Choice Act even if you haven’t lived in the state where the school is located, as long as you’re using federal benefits. Learn more about the Veterans Choice Act
- One federal benefit at a time: Only one federal benefit may be used at a time. Contact a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) for assistance choosing the right benefit for your situation.
- Disability compensation impact: A veteran’s disability compensation may decrease when a dependent uses certain federal benefits, specifically Chapter 35 benefits. Plan accordingly.
State Education Benefits
The following states offer generous tuition waivers, especially for dependents of veterans rated 90% or higher with permanent and total (P&T) disability. Most of these state benefits can be used alongside federal benefits, which is what makes them so powerful when paired with Chapter 35.
Hawaii and Mississippi have pending state legislation that may add similar benefits. Check with those states’ veteran services offices for updates.
|
State |
Program |
Eligibility |
Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Alabama |
G.I. Dependents’ Scholarship |
Dependents of veterans with service-connected disability (as low as 20%) |
Up to 5 academic years (10 semesters) of tuition at any Alabama state-supported college or technical college |
|
Arkansas |
Military Dependents Scholarship (MDS) |
Spouses/dependents of AR residents classified as MIA, KIA, or POW after Jan. 1, 1960 |
Waiver of in-state tuition, on-campus room and board, and mandatory fees at eligible AR institutions |
|
California |
College Tuition Fee Waiver for Veterans’ Dependents (CalVet Fee Waiver) |
Dependents of service-connected disabled or deceased veterans |
Waiver of mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any CA Community College, CSU, or UC campus |
|
Florida |
Congressman C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Program |
Dependents of veterans; also benefits for qualifying veterans directly |
Waiver of tuition at FL state colleges and universities |
|
Idaho |
Armed Forces & Public Safety Officer Dependent Scholarship |
Children/spouses of military members killed, disabled, or MIA/POW |
Waiver of tuition/fees plus up to $750/semester for books, plus on-campus housing and subsistence at state institutions |
|
Illinois |
Illinois Veterans’ Grant (IVG) & MIA/POW Scholarship |
IL veterans (IVG); dependents of IL veterans who are MIA/POW or disabled (MIA/POW Scholarship) |
IVG pays tuition and mandatory fees at all IL state-sponsored institutions. MIA/POW Scholarship covers tuition, fees, room, and board. Can be combined with federal VA benefits |
|
Indiana |
Child of Veteran & Purple Heart Recipient Program |
Children of disabled veterans or Purple Heart recipients who are IN residents |
Fee remission (tuition waiver) at IN state-supported colleges and universities for up to 124 credit hours |
|
Kansas |
Kansas Hero’s Scholarship |
Spouse, unremarried surviving spouse, and dependent children of service members KIA, MIA, POW, or with 80%+ service-connected disability |
Waiver of tuition and required fees for up to 10 semesters at KS public institutions |
|
Kentucky |
Kentucky Veterans Tuition Waiver Program |
Spouses and dependent children of qualifying veterans |
Tuition waiver at 2-year, 4-year, or vocational schools funded by the KY Dept. of Education |
|
Louisiana |
LA Dependent Education (Act 581) |
Dependents of veterans who died in service, died from service-connected disability, or rated 90%+ service-connected disabled |
Tuition waiver at any LA state-supported institution; also provides in-state tuition rates for qualifying veterans |
|
Maine |
Veterans Dependents Educational Benefits |
Dependents of veterans who are 100% permanently disabled or who died from service-connected causes |
Waiver of tuition, mandatory fees, and lab fees at ME state-supported colleges and vocational schools (does not cover housing, books, or meals) |
|
Nebraska |
Waiver of Tuition Program |
Surviving spouses and children of eligible veterans |
100% waiver of tuition and tuition-related fees at participating NE universities and community colleges. May be used for one community college degree and one bachelor’s degree |
|
New Hampshire |
Tuition Waiver for Children of Disabled NH Veterans |
Children (under age 27) of veterans rated 100% totally and permanently disabled; must be NH residents |
Tuition waiver at University System of NH institutions (UNH, Plymouth State, Keene State, Granite State). Must exhaust Ch. 33 and other federal aid first |
|
North Carolina |
Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans |
Children of wartime veterans who are NC residents |
Covers tuition, room and board, and fees at NC state-supported institutions for up to 8 semesters over 8 years |
|
North Dakota |
Dependent Tuition Waiver Program |
Dependents of veterans who were killed, died from service-connected causes, are MIA/POW, or are 100% disabled |
Free tuition and fees at any ND state-supported institution while earning a bachelor’s degree or certificate; must complete within 45 months or 10 semesters |
|
Oregon |
Veteran’s Dependent Tuition Waiver (ORS 350.285) |
Children (age 31 or younger), spouses, or unremarried surviving spouses of veterans who died or are 100% disabled from service; also children of Purple Heart recipients (2001+) |
Tuition waiver at OR public institutions for up to 4 years for a bachelor’s and up to 2 years for a master’s degree. May be reduced by other federal aid/grants |
|
South Carolina |
Free Tuition for Children of Wartime Veterans |
Children (age 26 or younger) of qualifying wartime veterans |
Tuition waiver at SC state-supported colleges, universities, or technical schools (does not cover books, fees, or living costs) |
|
Texas |
Hazlewood Act & Legacy Program |
TX veterans (Hazlewood); dependents via Legacy transfer of unused hours |
Up to 150 credit hours of tuition and required fee exemption at TX public institutions. Veterans can transfer unused hours to dependents under the Legacy program |
|
Virginia |
Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) |
Children (ages 16-29) and spouses of veterans rated 90%+ permanently disabled or who were KIA/MIA/POW; VA must be veteran’s home of record for 5+ years |
Waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees for up to 8 semesters at VA public colleges/universities and EVMS. May also include a stipend for room, board, books, and supplies |
|
Washington |
WA State Dependent Tuition Waiver |
Children (ages 17-26) and surviving spouses/domestic partners of veterans who died in service, are 100% disabled, or are MIA/POW; must be WA domiciliary |
Waiver of all undergraduate tuition and fees at WA state institutions for up to 200 quarter credits. Book stipend may be available if funded by legislature |
|
Wisconsin |
Wisconsin GI Bill |
WI veterans and their dependents (veteran must have been WI resident at time of entry to service and for 5+ consecutive years before enrollment) |
Full tuition and approved fees for up to 8 semesters or 128 credits at any UW System or WI Technical College System school |
How To Stack Federal And State Benefits
The real savings come from combining benefits. Here is a common scenario:
- A veteran is rated 100% P&T disabled by the VA.
- Their dependent child qualifies for a state tuition waiver (covering tuition and fees at a public university).
- The same child also qualifies for Chapter 35 DEA, providing $1,574/month to help cover housing, books, and living expenses.
- Result: The dependent may attend a state university with little to no out-of-pocket cost.
The combination of a state tuition waiver plus Chapter 35 is one of the most underused strategies in veteran education benefits. Not every family knows both programs exist or that they can be layered together.
Next Steps
Education benefits for veterans and their families are among the most generous programs available, but they only work if you know about them and apply. Take the time to research what your state offers and stack it with federal benefits for the best outcome.
Why This Matters: As college becomes more expensive, families need to make sure they are taking all available steps to reduce costs. For military veterans and their families, VA education benefits are a fantastic tool. But navigating these options, both federal and state programs, can be confusing.
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Editor: Colin Graves
The post VA Education Benefits by State: Tuition Waivers for Veterans, Spouses, and Dependents appeared first on The College Investor.
