SC Tuition Assistance for Certain War Veterans' Children
South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs (SCDVA)
Free tuition at SC public colleges and technical colleges for children (26 or younger) of qualifying wartime veterans.
- How much
- Free tuition (tuition waiver)
- Who qualifies
- Child of a qualifying wartime veteran (KIA, died in service or of service-connected cause, POW, MIA, 100% permanently and totally disabled, Medal of Honor or Purple Heart)
- Age 26 or younger; pursuing any undergraduate degree at an SC state-supported institution, or accepted to dual enrollment/early college while in high school. Veteran served honorably during a war period (Gulf War 8/2/1990-present, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI). Residency: student and living veteran residents of SC for the 12 months before the application, or the child has lived in SC since birth. Work and conduct must be satisfactory to the institution.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
- When to apply
- Apply any time Rolling; apply before the term (the waiver starts the day SCDVA receives the application).
- How to apply
- Apply online through SCDVA's Tuition Assistance application (sc.accessgov.com) with the veteran's DD-214, the child's birth certificate and high school diploma, and any adoption/marriage documents
- SCDVA emails the approval letter to your college
- Processing takes about 2-6 weeks (longer now due to high volume)
- Questions: 803-734-0200
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (scdva.sc.gov) and page 2
The details
Tuition waiver at any SC state-supported college, university or technical college (and for dual enrollment / early college while in high school) for children age 26 or younger pursuing any undergraduate degree, whose parent served honorably during a federally defined war period and: was killed in action; died in service; died of a service-connected disease or disability; was a POW; is permanently and totally disabled (VA, any cause); received the Medal of Honor; is missing in action; or received the Purple Heart for combat wounds (also children of deceased veterans who qualified as POW or P&T disabled). Residency: the veteran and student must have lived in SC for the 12 months before applying (or other statutory residency routes), or the child has been an SC resident since birth (recent expansion). Covers tuition only; the benefit starts on the date SCDVA receives the application (not retroactive). No re-application needed each term; request a transfer letter if you change schools.
More money from South Carolina
- Palmetto Fellows ScholarshipUp to $6,700 freshman year; up to $7,500 per year for sophomore, junior and senior years
- LIFE Scholarship (Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence)Up to $5,000 per year (includes a $300 book allowance)
- SC WINS Scholarship (South Carolina Workforce & Industry Needs Scholarship)Up to $5,000 per academic year after all other scholarships and grants
- South Carolina Tuition GrantsUp to $5,000 for 2026-27 (amount based on need and funding)
- South Carolina Need-based GrantUp to $3,500 per year full-time; up to $1,750 per year part-time
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Georgia, North Carolina
- 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.