Connecticut Veterans Tuition Waiver
State of Connecticut (UConn, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities)
Free tuition at UConn, the Connecticut State Universities and CT State Community College for Connecticut veterans who served in wartime (50% at Charter Oak).
- How much
- Full tuition (Charter Oak: 50% of course fees)
- Who qualifies
- U.S. military veteran (wartime service)
- Honorably discharged or released under honorable conditions from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces (National Guard members activated under Title 10 included). At least 90 cumulative days of active duty during a period of war as defined in CGS 27-103 (unless discharged earlier for a VA-rated service-connected disability, or the war/operation lasted under 90 days); service-academy attendance doesn't count. Accepted for admission at a Connecticut public college or university and domiciled in Connecticut when accepted (less than one year of domicile is OK).
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- When to apply
- Apply any time Each term; submit before your school's fee-bill or registration deadline.
- How to apply
- Apply for admission and bring your DD-214 when applying and registering
- Apply for the waiver through your school's veterans office (UConn: online waiver application to the Office of Veterans Affairs & Military Programs before the fee-bill deadline, plus a Form D each term
- CSCU schools: campus veterans office)
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (portal.ct.gov), page 2, page 3, page 4 and page 5
The details
Connecticut waives tuition at its public colleges for eligible veterans. Connecticut State Universities (Central, Eastern, Southern, Western): 100% tuition waiver for credit courses for formally admitted undergraduate or graduate students, plus a 50% course-fee waiver for Extension Fund (summer and intersession) courses. CT State Community College: tuition waived for full- or part-time General Fund credit study (not summer, intersession or Extension Fund courses). UConn: tuition waived for admitted, matriculated students in degree or certificate programs, undergraduate or graduate, for all terms. Charter Oak State College: 50% course-fee waiver for matriculated eligible veterans. If the veteran uses the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the state waives the tuition the GI Bill doesn't cover. 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.