Kentucky Veterans' Dependents Tuition Waiver
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA)
Free tuition at Kentucky public colleges for children, stepchildren, spouses and surviving spouses of eligible deceased or disabled Kentucky veterans.
- How much
- Full tuition (tuition only) at Kentucky public colleges, universities and vocational schools
- Who qualifies
- Child, stepchild, spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible deceased or disabled Kentucky veteran (or KY National Guard/Reserve member, POW or MIA)
- Veteran must be a current Kentucky resident (or a resident at death). The student need not be a Kentucky resident but must attend (in person or online) a Kentucky state-supported school. Children generally must be under 26.
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students
- When to apply
- Apply any time No deadline; apply once accepted at a Kentucky public school, at least 30 days before you need it.
- How to apply
- After you are accepted at a Kentucky state-supported school, submit the KDVA Tuition Waiver Application (plus Stepchild Affidavit if applicable) with proof of relationship and the veteran's service/disability/death documents to KDVA.TuitionWaiver@ky.gov
- Allow at least 30 days
- The waiver is emailed to you and the school
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (veterans.ky.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
State tuition waiver (KRS 164.505, 164.507, 164.512, 164.515) for children, stepchildren, spouses and un-remarried surviving spouses of Kentucky veterans who died on active duty, died of a service-connected disability, are 100% service-connected disabled, are totally disabled (non-service-connected) with wartime service, or are deceased and lived in Kentucky at death with wartime service; also disabled children whose disability results from the veteran's service, and dependents of Kentucky National Guard/Reserve members disabled or killed in state service, POWs and MIAs. Covers tuition only (not room, board, books or fees) at Kentucky state-supported two-year, four-year and vocational-technical schools; private and out-of-state schools do not qualify. Expires at a degree or certificate, 45 months of use, or age 26 for children (the KRS 164.505 waiver for survivors of those killed in service has no such limit). Not the same as federal Chapter 35 (DEA).
More money from Kentucky
- Optometry Scholarship$15,000 per recipient (2026-27; varies yearly with funding)
- College Access Program (CAP) GrantUp to $2,500 at a two-year institution; up to $5,300 at a four-year institution (2026-27)
- Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG)Up to $3,300 for the 2026-27 academic year
- Early Graduation Scholarship CertificateOne-half of the state portion of the average per-pupil SEEK base guarantee for the graduation year (one-time)
- Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)Varies: $187-$500 per year of college for each high school year with a 2.75+ GPA, plus ACT/SAT bonus up to $500 and AP/IB/CAI supplements of $200-$300 per qualifying score (free/reduced lunch students)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
- 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.