Surviving Children and Spouses Education Benefit
Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)
Tuition-free bachelor's degree at Minnesota public colleges plus $750/year for spouses and children of veterans who died on active duty or from a service-connected condition.
- How much
- Free tuition at Minnesota public colleges and universities, plus $750 per year for fees, books, supplies or room and board
- Who qualifies
- Surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died on active duty or from a service-connected condition
- Stepchildren must have become stepchildren before 18 and lived in the veteran's household at death; adopted children adopted before 18; no bachelor's degree; Minn. Rules 9055.0450. Residency rule not stated on the page.
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
- When to apply
- Apply any time Open year-round.
- How to apply
- Apply to MDVA with the program application (open year-round)
- MDVA regional coordinators can help
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (mn.gov)
The details
Spouses and children (including adopted children and stepchildren meeting household/age rules) of a veteran who died while on active duty or from a service-connected condition can attend a public Minnesota university or college free of tuition until they earn a bachelor's degree. MDVA also pays $750 per fiscal year toward fees, books and supplies, and/or room and board. Not available to anyone who already has a bachelor's degree.
More money from Minnesota
- Minnesota Student Teacher Grants (Shortage Areas and Underrepresented Student Teachers)Up to $7,500 (one-time, for the student teaching term)
- Minnesota State GrantVaries by need and cost; formula uses up to $18,071 (4-year) or $7,340 (2-year) tuition and fees plus a $12,690 living allowance (2026-27), minus family share and Pell
- North Star PromiseUp to 100% of remaining tuition and mandatory fees (last-dollar, no fixed cap)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- 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.