Police Officer's and Firefighter's Survivor Tuition Waiver
Utah public colleges and universities (Utah Code 53H-11-306); administered by the Utah Department of Public Safety
Utah public colleges waive resident tuition and general fees for up to nine semesters for the children and surviving spouses of Utah peace officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
- How much
- Resident tuition and general fees for up to nine semesters (after other scholarships/benefits)
- Who qualifies
- child or surviving spouse of a Utah peace officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty
- Utah resident student; satisfactory academic progress; no bachelor's degree; max nine semesters / 124 semester credits.
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- When to apply
- Apply any time No fixed annual deadline; children must first apply before turning 25.
- How to apply
- Apply to the Utah Department of Public Safety for the survivor tuition waiver with proof of your relationship and the line-of-duty death
- DPS approves and notifies your college
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (le.utah.gov)
The details
Utah Code 53H-11-306: Utah public institutions must waive tuition (defined as resident tuition and general course fees, not special course fees) for each child and surviving spouse of a Utah peace officer or Utah firefighter (including volunteer/paid-on-call firefighters) killed in the line of duty. Requirements: admitted to a degree or certificate program (full-time, part-time or summer); Utah resident student; apply to the Department of Public Safety with proof of eligibility; children must first apply before age 25 (and have been under 25 when the parent died); satisfactory academic progress; no bachelor's degree and fewer than 124 semester / 180 quarter credits reimbursed. Up to nine semesters (or equivalent quarters). Waived only to the extent tuition isn't covered by other scholarships, trust funds or statutory benefits; only for courses applicable to the program.
More money from Utah
- Opportunity ScholarshipClass of 2026: up to $800 per semester for up to four semesters ($3,200 total); tuition and general fees only, after other state aid. Class of 2027 amount not yet announced.
- First Credential Scholarship (formerly PRIME)$625 one-time (class of 2026; subject to available funding and number of qualified applicants)
- Adult Learner Grant ProgramUp to the cost of attendance
- CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards$1,000 to full tuition for up to one year, depending on the institution
- NASA Space Grant Scholarship (Utah technical colleges)Varies based on available funding; up to cost of attendance
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming
- 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
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