Arizona Purple Heart / Wounded Veteran Tuition Waiver
Arizona Board of Regents and Arizona community college districts (A.R.S. 15-1808), verified by the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services
Tuition waiver at Arizona public universities and community colleges for Purple Heart veterans with a 50%+ VA disability rating and for wounded or medically discharged Arizona National Guard members.
- How much
- Full undergraduate tuition waiver
- Who qualifies
- Purple Heart veteran with 50%+ VA disability rating; or Arizona National Guard member with a post-9/11 Purple Heart; or former Arizona National Guard member medically discharged for a duty injury
- Arizona resident or stationed in Arizona at the time of injury (Tier 1); meets admission requirements; satisfactory academic progress; no class 1-5 felony conviction (Tier 1).
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students, adults going back to school
- When to apply
- Apply any time No deadline; verify eligibility before enrolling.
- How to apply
- Complete the ADVS Tuition Waiver Verification Form with documents and email it to benefits@azdvs.gov (or mail to ADVS, 1688 W
- Adams St., Phoenix, AZ 85007)
- Guard members are verified by the Adjutant General
- The school is then notified
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (dvs.az.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
A.R.S. 15-1808(E),(F). Tier 1 (ADVS): a former U.S. armed forces member who received a Purple Heart, was an Arizona resident or stationed in Arizona when injured, and has a VA disability rating of 50% or more; anyone convicted of a class 1-5 felony is ineligible. Tier 3: a current Arizona National Guard member who received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001. Tier 4: a former Arizona National Guard member medically discharged because of an injury or disability suffered in Title 10 status, weekend or annual training, or a governor-declared state emergency. Covers undergraduate tuition (U of A: base tuition, college fees and course-related fees); books, parking, course fees and room and board are excluded per ADVS. Can be used alongside federal GI Bill benefits.
More money from Arizona
- Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (AzLEAP)Up to $2,500 per academic year; average award about $1,000 per year
- Arizona Financial Aid Trust (AFAT) GrantVaries by university; ASU states up to $4,000 per year
- Arizona Promise ProgramUp to the actual cost of in-state tuition, mandatory fees and program fees after other financial aid
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.