Special Programs

College Fees Waived

For Dependents of Service-Connected Disabled and Deceased Veterans

A grateful State of California offers a "College Fee Waiver Program" to children and dependents of service-connected disabled or service-related deceased veterans. This program is administered by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) through County Veterans Service Offices (CVSO)

Students must meet all requirements of at least one of the following plans:

Plan A

The spouse, child, or unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who is totally service-connected disabled, or who died of service-related causes, may qualify. The veteran must have served during a "qualifying war period." This program does not have an income limit. A child must be under 27 years of age to receive the fee waiver benefit. The age limit is extended to 30 years of age if a child is a veteran. There are age limits for a spouse or surviving spouse.

Note: A Dependent Cannot Receive This Benefit If They Are In Receipt Of USDVA Chapter 35 Benefits.

Plan B

The child (no age limits) of a  veteran who has a service-connected disability, or had a service-connected disability at the time of death, who died of service related causes, may qualify for a waiver of fees. A child's income, which includes the student's adjusted gross income, plus the value of support provided by the parent(s) for the Tax Year preceding the Academic Year, cannot exceed $11,201 annually.

Plan C

Any dependent, or surviving spouse who has not remarried, of any member of the California. National Guard who in the line of duty, and while in the active service of the State, was killed, died of a disability resulting from an event that occurred while in the active service of the State, or is permanently disabled as a result of an event that occurred while in the active service of the State. "Active service of the state," for the purposes of this subdivision, means a member of the California National Guard activated pursuant to Section 146 of the Military and Veterans Code.

The waive of fees applies only at California State Universities (CSU System), University of California Campuses (UC System), and California Community Colleges (Junior Colleges). Benefits are awarded on an "Awarded Year" basis and students are required to reapply each year for continued benefits.

Note: Nothing shall prevent the above institutions form charging nonresident fees.

If you or someone you know may be eligible to receive these benefits, contact a County Veterans Service Office listed above.