Education

***NOTE: SCDVA only lists resources directly linked to South Carolina government agencies, the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs, Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA), or SCDVA partner agencies and SC Veteran service organizations.

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SC Tuition Assistance for Certain War Veterans’ Children

Provides a tuition waiver for qualified children of certain military Veterans applying to or enrolled in a South Carolina state supported college, university or post high school technical education school; or acceptance into a dual enrollment/early college credit program prior to graduating high school. Qualifying Veterans and students must meet certain residency requirements.

For a list of Veteran eligibility requirements, and state-supported institutions, scroll below.

• Do not mail or fax paper applications.

• Do not submit duplicate applications; doing so hinders processing time.

• Once applications are submitted, applicants will receive an automated response immediately. Please note, applicants will not receive status updates during processing.

• Approval letters will be emailed (to institution of choice), and denial letters will be sent to students electronically via email.

• Processing times may vary based on the volume of applications received.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE APPLICATION COMPLETION

Please call (803) 647-2434 for any questions regarding the program.

#1. How long will it take for my application to be processed

Answer: Processing times may vary (2 - 6 weeks). This processing time period is based on the volume of applications and calls received.

#2. I just found out about the program and have already graduated. Will I be reimbursed or is this a retroactive progr. am?

Answer: No. The effective date of this benefit is the date of receipt of the Free Tuition Application.

#3. Do I need to recertify or re-apply for each new term or annually?

Answer: No. After submitting the initial application, the only time an applicant needs to contact our office is to request a transfer from one state-supported school to another state-supported school. Students will not receive new letters for each term.

#4. What documents do I need to submit with my application?

Answer: Veteran’s DD 214, child’s birth certificate, child’s high school diploma, adoption decree (if applicable), marriage certificate (to establish a connection to step-child; if applicable)

#5. When will I receive my stipend (Chapter 35, DEA)?

Answer: Chapter 35 is a federal program that is not administered in this office. For questions regarding Chapter 35 please call 1-888-442-4551

NOTE: DO NOT SUBMIT A TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATION WHEN MAKING A TRANSFER LETTER REQUEST.

An additional application is not required when requesting a transfer letter; doing so may cause a delay in processing your request. Please call our office to request a transfer letter and be ready to provide the following information:

Student's name.
Student's social security number.
Student's current address.
Name of the school student will be attending.
Location of the campus student will be attending.

Transfer letters are only for students who have been previously approved for this program by the South Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs and who are switching to a new state supported school. Students who have not been previously approved for this program will need to submit a completed Application for Tuition Assistance to our office. If you are unsure if you need a transfer letter, please call our office at 803-647-2434.

Offered by – The State of South Carolina

Description – No funds are appropriated for this program by the State of South Carolina since the benefit is simply tuition waiver at any state supported university, college, or post-high school technical education institutions. All children who are twenty-six years of age or younger and qualify may receive these benefits.

Value – Free Tuition

Eligibility – (A) A child of a wartime Veteran, upon application to and approval by the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs, may be admitted to any state-supported college, university, or post high school technical education institution free of tuition so long as his work and conduct is satisfactory to the governing body of the institution, if the Veteran was a resident of this State at the time of entry into service, during service and still resides in this State or has been a resident of this State for at least one year and still resides in this State or, if the Veteran is deceased, resided in this State for one year before his death, and provided the Veteran served honorably in a branch of the military service of the United States during a war period, as those periods are defined by Section 101 of Title 38 of the United States Code and: (1) was killed in action; (2) died from other causes while in the service; (3) died of disease or disability resulting from service; (4) was a prisoner of war as defined by Congress or Presidential proclamation during such war period; (5) is permanently and totally disabled, as determined by the Veterans Administration from any cause; (6) has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor; (7) is missing in action; (8) the applicant is the child of a deceased Veteran who qualified under items (4) and (5); or (9) has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat."

(B) The provisions of this section apply to a child of a Veteran who meets the residency requirements of Chapter 112 of this title, is twenty-six years of age or younger, and is pursuing any type of undergraduate degree.

Basis of Award – Proof of qualifications for the benefits. Our primary source of verification is with the Veterans Claims Folder and certified copy of the Veterans’ DD214, if the application is based on award of Purple Heart or Medal of Honor.

Definition of Veteran - For purposes of this application, the term “Veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

Effective Date for Benefit - The effective date of this benefit is the date of receipt of the Free Tuition Application.

Residency - Please note that both the Student and the Veteran (if living) must have established residency in South Carolina for at least the twelve continuous months immediately prior to the date of receipt of the application and still be a current resident of South Carolina.

Students must have been accepted and plan to attend the state supported institution listed on the application.

LIST OF STATE SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS

Citadel

Clemson University

College of Charleston

Coastal Carolina University

Francis Marion University

Lander University

University of South Carolina (all campuses): Aiken, Beaufort, Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Upstate, Sumter, Union, Palmetto College and Medical University of South Carolina

SC State University

Winthrop University

Aiken Technical College