Tuition Waiver for Children and Spouses of Florida First Responders Killed in the Line of Duty
State of Florida (ss. 112.19, 112.191, 112.1912, Florida Statutes); applied by each public institution
Tuition and fees for up to 120 credit hours at Florida public colleges, universities and career centers for children and spouses of fallen first responders.
- How much
- Tuition and matriculation/registration fees for up to 120 credit hours
- Who qualifies
- Child or spouse of a Florida law enforcement officer, correctional/probation officer, firefighter, EMT or paramedic killed in the line of duty
- Qualifying deaths are defined in ss. 112.19(2), 112.191(2) and 112.1911(2), F.S.
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students
- When to apply
- Apply any time Rolling; claim at enrollment (children through age 24; spouses within 10 years of the death).
- How to apply
- Contact your Florida public college or university's financial aid office with documentation of the first responder's line-of-duty death
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (flsenate.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Florida law requires the state to waive tuition and matriculation/registration fees for up to 120 credit hours (career certificate, undergraduate or postgraduate study, full- or part-time) at state career centers, Florida College System institutions and state universities for the child or spouse of a Florida law enforcement, correctional or correctional probation officer, firefighter, or (for deaths on or after July 1, 2019) EMT or paramedic killed in the line of duty. Children: until their 25th birthday. Spouses: must start within 5 years of the death; benefit lasts until the 10th anniversary. Must stay in good standing. Deaths before July 1, 2019 fall under ss. 112.19 and 112.191; on or after under s. 112.1912.
More money from Florida
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Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Alabama, Georgia
- 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
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