Education
Announcement: Closure of The Art Institute Schools – Click here for more information.
Florida waives out-of-state tuition fees for all honorably discharged veterans who reside in the state and who are enrolled in Florida public, post-secondary institutions, through the “Congressman C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Program.” The out-of-state tuition and fee waiver is extended to spouses and dependent children who reside in Florida and who are using GI Bill® benefits for enrollment in Florida public, postsecondary institutions (see FS 1009.26(13)).
In 2016, House Bill 799 was signed into law, granting an out-of-state tuition fee waiver to Active Duty members residing or stationed outside of the State of Florida.
Florida waives undergraduate-level tuition at state universities, community colleges, and career and technical training facilities for Florida recipients of the Purple Heart and other combat-related decorations superior in precedence to the Purple Heart. In 2016, legislation was passed expanding the eligibility for this earned benefit.
Visit www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/military/ for more information on veteran benefits available at Florida College System institutions. (FS 1009.26(8))
Florida also provides scholarship opportunities for dependent children and spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or who are 100 percent service-connected permanent and total disabled veterans through the Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans program. (FS 295.01) Visit www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org or call toll free (888) 827-2004 for more information. Dependent children of service members Missing in Action or Prisoners of War may also be eligible for tuition benefits.
Florida State Colleges and Universities offering priority course registration for students provide priority course registration to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who are receiving GI Bill® educational benefits (FS 1004.075). The benefit also applies to spouses and dependent children receiving GI Bill® benefits.
Florida State Colleges and Universities also allow current members of the U.S. Armed Forces and honorably discharged veterans to earn academic college credit for college-level training and education acquired in the military. Consult your local college campus for details. For more details about Florida State Universities visit https://www.flbog.edu/universities/key-university-info/military-veteran-affairs/.
Honorably discharged veterans who were inducted into the U.S. Armed Forces prior to completing their high school education can be awarded a State of Florida High School Diploma. Visit https://fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/veterans-diplomas.stml or call (850) 245-0446 for more information.
Post-9/11 GI Bill®
Provides financial assistance for after leaving service to individuals who served on active duty a minimum of 90 days after Sept. 10, 2001. The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship amends the Post-9/11 GI Bill® to include the children of service members who died in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001 and Section 701 of The Choice Act expands it to include surviving spouses. For more information, call toll free (888) 442-4551 or visit the VA website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Governor Ron DeSantis, Congressman Matt Gaetz, Commissioner Corcoran, Executive Director Burgess & College Presidents Applaud POTUS Expanding GI Benefits for Vets Impacted by COVID-19, click here to read more.
Montgomery GI Bill®
Provides financial assistance for 10 years after leaving service to honorably discharged veterans who enlisted after June 30, 1985, and elected to participate within the first 12 months of service. For more information, call toll free (888) 442-4551 or visit www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.