Veterans Tuition Waiver

CT statutes provide that tuition at CSCU may be waived for those eligible.

coverage

State statutes provide that tuition at Connecticut public colleges and universities may be waived for:

  • eligible veterans;
  • active members of the Connecticut Army and Air National Guard;
  • any Connecticut resident who is a dependent child or a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces killed in action on or after September 11, 2001 who was a Connecticut resident; and
  • state residents who are dependent children of a person whom the Armed Forces has declared to be either missing in action or a prisoner of war while serving in the Armed Forces after January 1, 1960.

The state tuition waiver also covers the amount of tuition which exceeds the tuition benefit received under the federal 2008 Post-9/11 Veteran Educational Assistance Act.

College costs other than tuition - such as for books, student activity and course fees, parking and room and board - are not waived. When applying for admission or registering for courses, bring a copy of your separation paper (Form DD-214). Waivers may be reduced by the amount of education reimbursement you may receive from your employer.

General Information

  • Connecticut State Universities
    Veterans accepted for admission to Central, Eastern, Southern or Western Connecticut State University must be formally admitted for undergraduate or graduate study to receive the 100% tuition waiver for credit courses, although they do not have to declare a major initially. A 50% course fee waiver is offered for Extension Fund courses (summer and intersession credit courses).
  • Community Colleges
    The 12 Community Colleges waive tuition for full- or part-time credit study funded through the state's General Fund. The waiver, however, cannot be applied toward summer, intercession or Extension Fund courses.
  • Charter Oak State College
    Offers a 50% course fee waiver for eligible veterans who are matriculated.

eligibility

To be eligible at a public college or university, veterans must:

  • be honorably discharged or released under honorable conditions 
    from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard). National Guard members, activated under Title 10 of the United States Code, also are included.
  • have served at least 90 or more cumulative days active duty 
    in time of war (see Periods of Service) except if separated from service earlier because of a federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rated service-connected disability; or the war, campaign or operation lasted less than 90 days and service was for the duration.
  • be accepted for admission 
    at a Connecticut public college or university.
  • be domiciled in Connecticut 
    at the time of acceptance, which includes domicile for less than one year.