Connecticut Tuition Waiver for Children of First Responders and Public Employees Killed in the Line of Duty
State of Connecticut (UConn, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities)
Free tuition at Connecticut public colleges for children of police officers, firefighters and municipal or state employees killed in the line of duty, and for families of Connecticut victims of the 9/11 attacks.
- How much
- Full tuition
- Who qualifies
- Child of a police officer, firefighter, municipal or state employee killed in the line of duty; child or spouse of a Connecticut 9/11 victim
- Accepted at a Connecticut public college or university. The statute requires Connecticut residency for the 9/11-victim waiver; the line-of-duty waiver for first-responder and public-employee children has no residency condition in the statute.
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- When to apply
- Apply any time Each term; before the school's fee-bill deadline.
- How to apply
- Apply for admission, then request the waiver from the college's bursar or financial aid office with documentation (UConn: September 11th waiver through the Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Programs, 860-486-2442)
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (cga.ct.gov) and page 2
The details
State law waives tuition at CT State Community College, the Connecticut State Universities and UConn for: the dependent child of a police officer (including supernumerary or auxiliary), firefighter or volunteer fire company member, municipal employee, or state employee killed in the line of duty; Connecticut residents who are a dependent child or surviving spouse of a 'specified terrorist victim' (the September 11, 2001 attacks; UConn refers to Public Act 02-126) who was a Connecticut resident; and dependent children of Connecticut residents killed in the July 29, 2005 multivehicle crash in Avon. Statutory waiver under CGS 10a-77 (CT State Community College), 10a-99 (Connecticut State Universities) and 10a-105 (UConn). Covers tuition only, not fees, books, parking or room and board. The waiver is reduced by any education reimbursement from an employer.
More money from Connecticut
- Roberta B. Willis Scholarship – Need and Merit-Based ScholarshipUp to $5,250 a year for a four-year program; up to $4,650 a year for a two-year program
- Roberta B. Willis Scholarship – Need-Based GrantUp to $4,500 for full-time study (part-time prorated)
- CHESLA Opportunity Scholarship$3,000 full-time; $1,500 at least half-time
- CHESLA Undergraduate Scholarship$3,000 full-time; $1,500 at least half-time
- CHESLA Certificate Scholarship$1,250
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island
- 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.