Tuition Waiver for Survivors and Dependents of NC Public Safety Officers
State of North Carolina (UNC System institutions and NC community colleges, G.S. 115B)
Free tuition at UNC System universities and NC community colleges for survivors of NC law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters and rescue squad workers killed in the line of duty, and for spouses and children of those permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.
- How much
- Full tuition waiver (tuition only; fees and books not included)
- Who qualifies
- Survivor, spouse or child of an NC law enforcement officer, correctional officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter or rescue squad worker killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty
- Must meet the institution's admission standards; children of disabled workers must be 17-23; UNC institutions admit waiver students on a space-available basis.
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
- When to apply
- Apply any time No deadline; request the waiver through the institution when enrolling
- How to apply
- Apply for admission and request the waiver from the college
- Provide proof of relationship (birth certificate, adoption, guardianship/custody order or marriage certificate), cause of death (Department of State Treasurer or employing agency records) or disability (NC Industrial Commission)
- What you'll need
- See how to apply
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (ncleg.gov)
The details
Under G.S. 115B-2, UNC constituent institutions and community colleges must let eligible people attend credit or noncredit classes without paying tuition. This covers tuition per credit hour only, not fees or books. Eligible: (1) survivors (child, ward or spouse) of a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter or rescue squad worker killed by a traumatic line-of-duty injury (a widow or widower who has remarried is excluded); (2) the spouse of such a worker permanently and totally disabled by a traumatic line-of-duty injury; (3) children aged 17-23 of such a disabled worker, for up to 54 months toward a bachelor's degree or the length of a non-degree program. The worker must have been an NC resident at the time of service. UNC institutions admit on a space-available basis.
More money from North Carolina
- Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities ScholarshipUp to $14,000 ($3,500 per school year for up to 4 years; transfers $3,500/yr for up to 3 years)
- Golden LEAF Community Colleges ScholarshipUp to $2,250 per school year (curriculum students); up to $1,850 per year (occupational/continuing education programs)
- NC Need-Based Scholarship for Private College StudentsAmount varies
- Next NC ScholarshipAt least $5,000 per year at a UNC System university; at least $3,000 per year at an NC community college (federal Pell + state funds combined)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, 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.