Tuition Waiver for Family Members of Deceased or Disabled Veterans and Children of Purple Heart Recipients
Oregon public universities and OHSU (required by ORS 350.285)
Oregon's public universities and OHSU waive tuition for bachelor's and master's study for children, spouses and surviving spouses of service members who died or are 100% disabled from service, and children of post-2001 Purple Heart recipients.
- How much
- tuition waived for up to four years of bachelor's study and two years of master's study (reduced by other grants)
- Who qualifies
- child, spouse or surviving spouse of a service member who died or is 100% disabled from service; child of a Purple Heart recipient (2001 or later)
- Oregon resident for tuition purposes when applying; admitted to a bachelor's or master's program at an Oregon public university (EOU, OIT, OSU, PSU, SOU, UO, WOU) or OHSU. Children must be 31 or younger when applying (older children can still get a master's waiver if they had a bachelor's waiver at 31 or under, or are eligible for VA DEA). Community colleges are not covered.
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, transfer students
- When to apply
- Apply any time No statewide deadline; request the waiver from your university.
- How to apply
- Apply through the financial aid or veterans' services office of the Oregon public university (or OHSU) you are admitted to, with proof of eligibility (VA or service documentation)
- File the FAFSA so other grants are applied first
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (oregonlegislature.gov)
The details
By statute (ORS 350.285, amended 2025), an Oregon public university or Oregon Health and Science University must waive tuition for a qualified student for courses toward a bachelor's degree (up to four years of full-time credit hours) and a master's degree (up to two years), never more than the credits needed to graduate. Qualified students: the child, spouse or unremarried surviving spouse of a service member who died on active duty, died of a service-connected disability, or is 100% disabled from a service-connected disability (VA- or service-certified); or the child of a Purple Heart recipient (honorable or general-under-honorable discharge) awarded in 2001 or later for combat wounds. The waiver may be reduced by federal grants and scholarships, the Oregon Opportunity Grant and institutional aid, but NOT by VA Chapter 35 (DEA) benefits. Covers tuition only (fees are not mentioned).
More money from Oregon
- Oregon Teacher Scholars Program (OTSP) Grantup to $12,000 per year (full-time)
- Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG)2026-27 (full-time, full-year): $1,224-$4,320 at community colleges; $1,656-$7,092 in community college BAS programs; $1,800-$8,352 at four-year colleges and universities
- Oregon Promise Grant$2,280 to $4,716 per year for full-time students (2026-27)
- Oregon Barber and Hairdresser (B&H) Grant Programone-time grant; amount varies each year (not stated)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: California, Idaho, Nevada, Washington
- 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.