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.
CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE APPLICATION COMPLETION
• 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 sent (to students & institution of choice) and denial letters will be sent (to students) via United States Postal Service (USPS); letters will not be emailed.
• Processing times may vary based on the volume of applications received.
Please call (803) 647-2434 for any questions regarding the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
#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 program? 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 connection to step-child; if applicable)
#5. When will I receive my stipend (Chapter 35, DEA)? Answer: Chapter 35 is federal program that is not administered in this office. For questions regarding Chapter 35 please call 1-888-442-4551.
Transfer Letter Requests
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.
Eligibility Requirements & State Supported Institutions
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, Columbia, Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union, and Medical University of South Carolina, Columbia, and Charleston
SC State University
Winthrop University
Aiken Technical College
Central Carolina Technical College
Denmark Technical College
Florence Technical College
Greenville Technical College
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Low Country Technical College
Midlands Technical College
Northeastern Technical College
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
Piedmont Technical College
Spartanburg Community College
Tri-County Technical College
Trident Technical College
Williamsburg Technical College
York Technical College
Wartime Service:
Gulf War 08-02-1990 To Present
Vietnam 02-28-1961 08-04-1964 *
*Must have served “In Country” Vietnam to be a wartime veteran during this period.
Vietnam 08-05-1964 05-07-1975
Korea 06-27-1950 01-31-1955
WWII 12-07-1941 12-31-1946
WWI 04-06-1917 11-11-1918