Does your state offer veterans benefits for veterans outside the G.I. Bill?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 23:22:01 -0500

I am preparing, researching, and hope to develop an Excel worksheet which outlines the college benefits for veterans outside of the G.I. Bill.

If you have the details about your state, will you please send it to me?

There are now several states that waive college tuition to state colleges, and more being added all the time.

There is a lot of fine print, so please pay attention to the details...this is why I want to create this -- with your help, for our veterans. Some states define a veteran as a combat veteran, some you must have served and received a honorable discharge. So what I want to fill-in is all the nit - picky questions, like what about SMs that were discharged for medical reasons after two years, state resident requirements, disability, POW, MIA, KIA, PH and MOH benefits. You can see this is daunting. A monstrous research project. So if you want to be part of it, please post your comments, and and please include recent links as new legislation trumps old benefits.

The best (Veteran-friendly) states to live in as of right now are: WI, SD, CT, IL, MT, TX, and CO all waive college tuition for public state college education. You still have to pay for books, lab fees, food, gym, and school health insurance if it's required. So don't get stars in your eyes, there may be some expenses out of pocket...but those are trivial to the thousands you are saving. Many vets have GP benefits, this isn't for them, this if for everyone else.

This is often referred to as a Yellow Ribbon Program. Will you help me, this will be disseminated via all social network when complete. Thanks in advance...pass the word.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 1 at 2014 11:27 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 23:27:46 -0500

You can find all that on the Department of Education website and I think I found something similiar on the VA website as well. I found that Oregon had free college for it's veterans and their familty members if they were awarded a Purple Heart or 100% disabled. They offer it all the way thru the masters level.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 11:14 AM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 11:14:42 -0500

CT has full tuition waver. Would like to see the doc when you are all done...good luck!

http://www.ct.gov/ctva/cwp/view.asp?A=2014&Q=290874

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 1:47 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 13:47:56 -0500

Wyoming Benefits:

Wyoming Statutes (W.S.) 19-9-501 through 504 established an Education Assistance Program that pays 100% tuition and mandatory fees at state schools (or equivalent for private schools) for current members of the WY National Guard. Usable for one program only, but pretty liberal about what the program is...anything from a certificate to a Master's degree. Details at https://sites.google.com/a/wyo.gov/veteranseducation/home/state-tuition-assistance (click on "Fact Sheet"). The articles in question may be found at http://legisweb.state.wy.us/statutes/statutes.aspx?file=titles/Title19/T19CH9AR5.htm.

W.S. 19-14-106 established a Free Tuition program for war orphans and veterans that provides ten free semesters of tuition and fees at the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming-based Community College. No limitations that I see on what program those ten semesters may be used form, as long as it's at an eligible school. All of Chapter 14 may be found at http://legisweb.state.wy.us/statutes/statutes.aspx?file=titles/Title19/T19CH14.htm (scroll down to article 106).

WYNG Educational Assistance Plan (State tuition) - Veterans Education

Wyoming State Veterans Education