***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.
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.
PLEASE NOTE: As part of the online application, you will need to submit two Release of Information forms. The first must be completed by the qualifying Veteran authorizing information release to the student (and any additional contacts with whom the application may be discussed, such as a spouse). The second must be completed by the student authorizing information release to the Veteran (and any additional contacts with whom the application may be discussed, such as an additional parent). The completed release forms must be uploaded with the other required documents as part of the online application linked below. CLICK HERE FOR RELEASE FORM
CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE APPLICATION COMPLETION
Please call 803-734-0200 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 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 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
GI Bill benefits help you pay for school and cover expenses while you’re training for a job. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training. Learn more about GI Bill benefits on this page—and how to apply for them.
If you applied for and were awarded Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits, your GI Bill Statement of Benefits will show you how much of your benefits you’ve used and how much you have left to use.
For more information click here.
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 803-734-0200.
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
University of South Carolina (all campuses): Aiken, Beaufort, Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Upstate, Sumter, Union, Palmetto College and Medical University of South Carolina
Central Carolina Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Technical College of the Lowcountry
Northeastern Technical College
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
Williamsburg 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
The South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program (SCNG CAP), established in 2007, offers financial assistance to members of the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard by providing incentives for service in either the South Carolina Army National Guard or South Carolina Air National Guard. SCNG CAP is administered by the CHE in partnership with the South Carolina National Guard.
South Carolina Army National Guard CAP recipients may receive up to a maximum of $5,500 per academic year if enrolled in a two-year or four-year program at eligible South Carolina institutions.
South Carolina Air National Guard CAP recipients may receive up to a maximum of $11,000 per academic year if enrolled in a two-year program at two-year or four-year eligible South Carolina institutions, OR a maximum of $5,500 at eligible South Carolina four-year institutions per academic year.
The cumulative total of all SCNG CAP benefits is set annually through proviso by the South Carolina General Assembly. The funds are temporary and awarded for one year only: for FY 2024-25 SCNG CAP funding may not exceed $22,000.
SCNG CAP benefits can be awarded up to the cost of attendance, as defined by Title IV regulation. However, the benefit maximum per award year will be reduced if, in combination with other financial aid, the cumulative total of all aid received exceeds the cost of attendance.
For more information or to apply, click here.
The South Carolina Military Credit Mobility Task Force was established to examine ways for South Carolina service members to maximize credit mobility towards certifications, associates, or bachelor’s degrees, rather than electives. The task force is a collaboration among the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, institutions of higher education, the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and other stakeholders to review existing transfer and articulation agreements established to help servicemembers use transferable credit toward degree completion at our higher education institutions. Also, the task force will explore possible ways to increase the use of military credits that will transfer to academic credits, and ultimately towards a certification or degree.
For more information, click here
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education Resources provides Veterans and military families with the tools and resources needed to succeed academically and professionally.
These tools include: information on preparing and applying for college, scholarship information, and SC-specific programs for Veterans and GI Bill Beneficiaries. Explore their website for valuable information and support.