Hey guys, my Mom served in the military and we're now stationed in California. I heard there were some programs that offer free college education for children of retired military personnel in California. Is that true? If so, can anyone share some details about how to apply and the requirements of the program?
Hello there! Yes, you're correct, California does offer a few programs aimed at providing tuition assistance to dependents of military veterans. The program most commonly used is the California Veterans Fee Waiver, also known as the Cal Vet Fee Waiver.
The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) offers a College Fee Waiver Program to dependents of veterans. This program waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus.
Eligibility criteria for this waiver is quite extensive, but in general:
1. The student must be the child (or spouse who has not remarried) of a service-connected disabled or service-related deceased veteran.
2. The student must be attending a California community college, a campus of the California State University (CSU), or a campus of the University of California (UC).
3. The student's status—whether they're a California resident—is not considered. So even if you're out of state, you could still qualify.
For more in-depth eligibility criteria, check out the official site here: https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/College-Fee-Waiver.aspx
The application process usually involves filling out the application form available on the CalVet website and submitting it to your local County Veterans Service Office. You would also typically need to provide proof that you are indeed the dependent of a veteran.
Keep in mind that the Fee Waiver only waives tuition; it does not cover expenses like housing, books, parking, and room and board. So you should still fill out the FAFSA to qualify for other forms of financial aid such as grants to cover these additional costs.
Remember also to renew your application every year, as the waiver does not renew automatically.
As always, please double check all details on the official CalVet website or with a school counselor to ensure the most accurate and updated information. Best of luck!
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