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| Alabama |
The education benefit covers tuition, fees, books, and supplies. There is no limit on the amount awarded for undergraduate study at any state college, state community college, or state technical college, except that it may not exceed the cost of attendance. The survivor must have been under 21 years of age at the time of the firefighter's death.
Contact: Alabama Police and Firefighters Survivors Educational Assistance Program, Alabama Commission on Higher Education. 100 North Union St., PO Box 302000, Montgomery, AL 36130-2000. Phone: (334) 242-2273. www.ache.state.al.us. |
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| Alaska |
Benefit provides tuition and fees in the University of Alaska system. Scholarships are dependent of member benefits.
Contact: Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. 3030 Vintage Boulevard, Juneau, AK 99801-7109. Phone: (907) 465-2962 or (800) 441-2962, Customer Service. |
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| Arizona |
The benefit is a full tuition waiver at state universities or community colleges for children age 30 or younger. This benefit covers deaths of firefighters traveling to or from work. It is limited to 64 credit hours at community colleges and a total of credits, including transfer credits, needed for a baccalaureate degree. For graduate study, 80% of tuition is covered.
Contact: Public Safety Personnel Retirement System or Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Board, Attorney General's Office. 1275 West Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Phone: (602) 542-5025. |
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| Arkansas |
The benefit consists of an eight-semester scholarship at any state-supported college or university. Additionally, up to four semesters may be at a technical institute. This benefit does not cover cost of books, food, school supplies, materials and fees for extracurricular activities. Benefit is available until age 23.
Contact: Arkansas Department of Higher Education. 114 E. Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201. Phone: (501) 371-2050. www.arkansashighered.com |
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| California |
No mandatory fees or tuition are required by the Regents of the University of California, the Board of Directors of the Hastings College of the Law, or the Trustees of the California State University System. This benefit applies to the spouse or children of a public safety officer killed in the performance of active fire suppression and prevention. The law was expanded in 2002 to include fee waivers at the California community college level. These educational benefits available to survivors if the firefighter died in the performance of fire suppression and prevention duties, was an employee of a public agency, and was a resident of California. This would include Federal firefighters if they met the criteria listed above. Eligibility must be consistent with the findings of the Worker's Compensation Appeals Board.
The Trustees of the California State University may enter into reciprocal agreements with other universities or colleges within the state. This would allow qualified students to attend other universities or colleges without payment of some or all fees or tuition or both. The Trustees may enter into similar reciprocal agreements with public colleges and universities in other states.
Contact: Students must tell the college or university they plan to attend that they are the survivor of a firefighter killed in the line of duty and that they qualify under Sections 68120-68124 of the California Education Code.
The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents (LEPD) Grant Program provides educational grants to each dependent or spouse of a California firefighter killed in the performance of duty or who dies or is totally disabled in a duty-related accident or injury. Grant shall be in an amount equal to that provided a student awarded a Cal Grant Scholarship. Awards may be used for tuition and fees, books, supplies, and living expenses.
Section 4709 of the Labor Code prohibits proceeds of death benefits received by a dependent of a firefighter killed or disabled in the line of duty from being included when determining financial need for an LEPD grant.
Contact: California Student Aid Commission, Student Services Division. PO Box 419027, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9027. Phone: (888) 224-7268. www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/g-187.pdf. |
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| Colorado |
Benefit covers tuition and on-campus room and board at state-funded colleges or universities toward first bachelor's degree or certificate of completion. Benefits may not extend beyond six years of the date of enrollment. When attending a private Colorado institution, the student is eligible for the amount charged at a comparable state college or university. At an out-of-state institution, student eligible for tuition equivalent to that at a comparable Colorado public institution. To remain eligible, student must achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, based on a scale of 4.0.
Contact: Colorado Commission on Higher Education, Colorado Dependents Tuition Assistance Program. 1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80204-2059. Phone: (303) 866-2723. www.state.co.us/cche |
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| Connecticut |
Tuition is waived in the Connecticut University System, regional community-technical college, or the University of Connecticut if parent is killed in line-of-duty.
Contact: Registrar's Office, The University of Connecticut, Wilbur Cross Building, 233 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT 06269-4077. Phone: (860) 486-3331. |
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| Delaware |
State Treasurer pays for tuition for dependent children enrolled in a degree or certificate program at a college or university. The benefit has a four-year maximum. Beneficiaries must be at least age 16 but not more than age 24.
Contact: Commission of Insurance. Rodney Bldg., 841 Silver Lake Blvd., Dover, DE 19904. Phone: (302) 739-4251 or (800) 282-8611. |
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| Florida |
Under State Statute-Title X, Chapter 112, education fees are waived for dependent children of firefighters killed in emergency response or in arson fire. Children seeking an undergraduate education, vocational-technical certificate, or a post-graduate degree will have the cost of tuition, matriculation, and other statutorily authorized fees waived. Surviving children may attend a state community college, state university, or a vocational-technical school, full- or part-time for up to 120 credit hours. Children eligible until age 25 for undergraduate or vocational study and up to age 29 for post-graduate programs.
Contact: Registrar at each institution. May need to provide citation: State Statute-Title X, Chapter 112. |
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| Georgia |
Public Safety Memorial Grant covers cost of attendance, minus other aid, for dependent children. Must be full-time undergraduate student enrolled in a Georgia public college, university, or technical college. Must be legal resident of Georgia and U.S. Citizen or permanent resident alien.
Contact: Georgia Student Finance Commission. 2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 200, Tucker, GA 30084. Phone: (770) 724-9000 or (800) 505-4732. www.gsfc.org
Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant: Provides up to $2,000 per academic year. Must be enrolled fulltime in a Georgia private or public college or public technical college and be in an undergraduate program leading to a degree, certificate, or diploma.
Contact: Georgia State Finance Commission listed above. |
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| Hawaii |
None. |
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| Idaho |
For dependents of full-time or part-time firefighters, including volunteers, killed or disabled in the line of duty. The state provides tuition, fees, on-campus room and board, and a maximum book allowance of $500 per semester or quarter or other period at Idaho public institutions of higher learning or public professional-technical colleges.
Limit is 36 months or four 9-month periods. Benefits shall not exceed 10 years past the date the dependent receives a high school diploma, or equivalency, or beyond the date the dependent turns age 30, whichever event comes first. The public safety officer must have been resident of Idaho at the time of his or her death.
Contact: Idaho State Department of Education. 650 West State St., PO Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0027. Phone: (208) 332-6800. www.sde.state.id.us/Dept/ |
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| Illinois |
Benefit consists of a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at any approved public post-secondary institution. Students at private Illinois institutions receive equivalent of tuition and mandatory fees at most expensive comparable program at a public post-secondary institution. Limited to full-time equivalent of eight semesters or 12 quarters for undergraduate and graduate programs. Full-time or part-time students are eligible until age 25. Stepchildren are not eligible.
Contact: Illinois Student Assistance Commission. 1755 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield, IL 60015. Phone: (800) 899-4722. www.collegezone.com. |
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| Indiana |
Tuition and other fees waived for children at state-supported colleges, technical schools or universities. Must be under 23 and enrolled in a prescribed course of study.
Contact: Indiana Commission for Higher Education. 101 West Ohio Street, Suite 550, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1971. Phone: (317) 464-4400. www.che.state.in.us. |
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| Iowa |
None. |
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| Kansas |
The benefit covers tuition and fees for eight semesters in Kansas post-secondary undergraduate institutions. The student is responsible for all other charges. There is no age limitation, but the student must have been a dependent at the time of death. Dependents of firefighters who died prior to effective date of legislation in 1996 are eligible.
Contact: Kansas Board of Regents. 1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 520, Topeka, KS 66612-1368. Phone: (785) 296-3421. www.kansasregents.com. |
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| Kentucky |
No matriculation or tuition fees at state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution. Also covers dependent children, ages 18-22, of firefighters totally disabled in the line of duty.
Contact: Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. 1050 U.S. 127 South, PO Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602-0798. Phone: (800) 928-8926. |
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| Louisiana |
Tuition, fees, room and board, and other charges waived at state-supported colleges and universities. Additional cash grant for books. Available for full-time undergraduate study for a maximum of eight semesters.
Contact: Louisiana Department of Education. 626 N. 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9064. Phone: (225) 342-3830. www.doe.state.la.us. |
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| Maine |
Tuition waivers are available for children of firefighters killed in the line of duty or as a result of injuries received during the performance of their duties. Tuition waivers are valid within the University of Maine system, the Maine Technical College system or at Maine Maritime Academy.
Contact: Finance Authority of Maine. 5 Community Drive, P.O. Box 949, Augusta, ME 04332-0949. Phone: (207) 623-3263 or (800) 228-3734. www.famemaine.com |
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| Maryland |
The Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program may be used for tuition and mandatory fees not to exceed that of a resident undergraduate at the University of Maryland, College Park. Good for five years of full-time or eight years of part-time study. Must be at least age 16. Covers undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. This scholarship program is only for an Individual (i.e. a career or volunteer member of a fire department, ambulance company or squad, or rescue company or squad) who meets the statutory definition of "disabled in the line of duty" or the child(ren) of that individual or one who was killed in the line of duty.
Contact: Maryland Higher Education Commission, State Scholarship Administration. 839 Bestgate Road, Suite 400, Annapolis, MD 21401. Phone: (410) 260-4500 or (800) 974-0203. |
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| Massachusetts |
The benefit is an amount equal to tuition charged by the state institution attended. Limited to 4 years for student in good standing. Student must have graduated from high school in the Commonwealth.
Contact: Massachusetts Department of Education. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5023. Phone: (781) 338-3000. |
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| Michigan |
Death must have been result of traumatic injury. The benefit provides tuition waiver at public community and junior colleges and state universities for classes leading to a certificate or undergraduate degree. Child must be under 21 at time of initial application for benefit. Family income, excluding income from death benefits, must be below 400% of the federal poverty level. Dependent must be a legal resident of Michigan for at least twelve months preceding application. Available for a maximum of 9 semesters.
Contact: Survivor Tuition Program, Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. 7426 North Canal Road, Lansing, MI 48913. Phone: (517) 322-1417. |
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| Minnesota |
Waiver of tuition and fees for undergraduate or certificate programs at state-supported colleges and universities. If the student attends an approved Minnesota private college or university, the state will pay no more than the highest tuition and fees charged by a Minnesota public institution. Children are eligible until age 23. The benefit is renewable for a maximum of ten semesters or 15 quarters, whichever occurs first.
Contact: Department of Public Safety. 211 Transportation Building, St. Paul, MN 55101. Phone: (651) 201-7000. www.mheso.state.mn.us |
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| Mississippi |
Benefit includes tuition, some fees, and average cost of on-campus housing for full-time undergraduate students for eight semesters at state-supported colleges and universities. Eligibility ends at age 23 except for special circumstances. Also applies when line-of-duty injury causes permanent and total disability.
Contact: Mississippi Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning. 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211. Phone: (601) 432-6647 or (800) 327-2980. |
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| Missouri |
Public Service Survivor Grant Program provides assistance for children under age 24 enrolled in a program leading to a certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree at participating Missouri postsecondary schools. The maximum grant amount is the amount of tuition charged to a Missouri undergraduate enrolled full-time in the equivalent program at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Dependent stepchildren are also eligible for this benefit.
Contact: MOSTARS. 3515 Amazonas Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Phone: (573) 751-3940 or (800) 473-6757. www.cbhe.state.mo.us |
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| Montana |
Benefit waives registration and incidental fees for the surviving child of any Montana firefighter killed in the course and scope of employment. Regents may waive tuition.
Contact: Enrollment Services, Lommasson Center, University of Montana. Admissions, 32 Campus Drive, PO Box 172180, Missoula, MT 59812. Phone: (406) 243-6266. |
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| Nebraska |
None. |
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| Nevada |
Waiver of registration fees, laboratory fees, and expenses for required textbooks and course materials toward an undergraduate degree at a school within the University and Community College System of Nevada. Waiver ends after the child reaches age 23.
Contact: University and Community College System of Nevada, Student Financial Services. Mail Stop 076, Reno, NV 89557. Phone: (775) 784-4666. |
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| New Hampshire |
None. |
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| New Jersey |
Survivor Tuition Benefits Program grants pay the actual cost of tuition up to the highest tuition charged at a New Jersey public institution. If enrolled in a New Jersey private school, survivors receive the same amount as in New Jersey public institutions. The child must enroll at least half time in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at a college or university in New Jersey. Benefit is limited to eight years following graduation from high school.
Contact: New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. 4 Quaker Bridge Plaza, PO Box 540, Trenton, NJ 08625. Phone: (800) 792-8670. www.njhesaa.org. |
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| New Mexico |
Firefighter and Peace Officer Survivors' Scholarships provide free tuition at a New Mexico state institution of higher education, for no more than five years. Children are eligible if they are under age 22 at the time of firefighter's death. Individual public institutions provide funding.
Contact: New Mexico Commission on Higher Education. 1068 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Phone: (505) 827-7383. www.nmche.org or financial aid office at public institutions. |
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| New York |
Memorial Scholarships for families of deceased volunteer firefighters are awarded to full-time undergraduates at approved NY colleges/post-secondary institutions. To qualify for the award, the firefighter must have died as the result of an injury sustained in the line-of-duty. Memorial Scholarships are available for four years of full time undergraduate study or for five years in an approved five-year bachelor's degree program. Covers actual tuition or the State University of New York (SUNY) undergraduate tuition, whichever is less. Assistance is also available for non-tuition costs such as room and board with allowances for books, supplies, and transportation. If you are a financial dependent, you are eligible under this program.
Memorial Scholarship students attending institutions with tuition charges higher than SUNY charges may receive additional assistance through New York State's Tuition Assistance Program.
Contact: New York State Higher Education Services Corporation. 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255. Phone: (888) 697-4372. www.hesc.com. |
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| North Carolina |
A tuition waiver is provided, not including any other fees and charges, or costs of textbooks to state-supported institutions of higher education, community colleges, industrial centers, and technical institutes only if the firefighter?s death was the direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty. Children between ages 17 and 22 are eligible for the benefit. Benefit cannot exceed 48 months if the child is seeking a baccalaureate degree, or if the child is not seeking a baccalaureate degree, the number of months required to complete the educational program. There are also member scholarships totaling $102,000 per year. Attractive loans are also available through College Foundation, Inc., with low interest rates and long repayment periods. NCFSA grant program totaling $112,000.
Contact: North Carolina Community College System. 200 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Phone: (919) 733-7051. www.ncccs.cc.nc.us or contact any state college or university. |
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| North Dakota |
Tuition and fees are waived for in-state undergraduate colleges and universities if child was under age 21 at the time death. Assistance available for up to four years, eight semesters, or equivalent.
Contact: North Dakota Board of Higher Education. 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Department 215, Bismarck, ND 58505-0230. Phone: (701) 328-2960. |
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| Ohio |
Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund pays tuition and fees for up to four years of undergraduate study at a state university or college, community college, university branch or technical college. Amount paid to private institution varies depending on the standard tuition of the public institutions. Must be a resident under age 26, or under age 30 if honorably discharged from the Armed Services of the United States.
Each year, the OSFA awards two Fire Science and two Paramedic Scholarhips to members. Each award is in the amount of $2,000. Applications must be submitted by May 30th. All applications must have a letter of recommendation. Applicants must belong to a member deparment or hold invididual memberships.
Contact: Ohio Board of Regents, State Grants and Scholarships Department. 30 East Broad Street, 36th Floor, PO Box 182452, Columbus, OH 43215-3414. Phone: (614) 466-6000 or (888) 833-1133. www.regents.state.oh.us. |
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| Oklahoma |
Tuition waivers available for both resident and non-resident tuition, limited to a period of 5 years.
Contact: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. 655 Research Parkway, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73104. Phone: (405) 255-9100. www.okhighered.org |
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| Oregon |
Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant Program provides a benefit. All tuition and fees are paid at a state institution for undergraduate education of no more than eight semesters or four years. If the dependent is attending a private institution, compensation will be based on expenses at the University of Oregon. The student must attend full-time and have financial need.
Contact: Oregon Student Assistance Commission, Grant Division. 1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 100, Eugene, OR 97401. Phone: (541) 687-7395 or (541) 687-7400. Toll free: (800) 452-8807. www.osac.state.or.us.
The Public Safety Memorial Fund may award scholarships for an undergraduate education. Eligibility based partly on the financial need of the applicant. Children who are under age 18 at the time of death can apply for this benefit up to five years after high school graduation.
Contact: Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. 550 N. Monmouth Avenue, Monmouth, OR 97361. Phone: (503) 378-2100. www.orednet.org/~bpsst. |
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| Pennsylvania |
Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program provides waiver of tuition, fees, and room and board. Child must attend a state institution full-time, be age 25 or under, and be enrolled in an academic program leading to an associate or bachelor's degree. Covers undergraduate education for up to five years.
Contact: Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. 1200 North Seventh Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102-1444. Phone: (717) 720-2800 or (800) 692-7392. www.pheaa.org. |
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| Rhode Island |
There is a tuition waiver for undergraduate education at state colleges or universities. The student must start college between ages 16 and 21. The benefit is available for the normal period of time for completing the course of study, up to four consecutive years.
Contact: Department of Labor and Training, Police & Fire Relief Fund. 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. Phone: (401) 462-8855. |
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| South Carolina |
Tuition is waived for four years of undergraduate study at state-supported colleges, universities, or vocational or technical schools. Students must be age 18-22 at the time of application.
Contact: South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. 1333 Main Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC 29201. Phone: (803) 737-2260. |
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| South Dakota |
If death is a direct result of an injury received in performance of official duties, undergraduate tuition is waived for children under age 21 at the time of the firefighter's death. Must attend a state-supported institution of higher education or state-supported technical or vocational school. Benefit is available for 36 months or 8 semesters.
Contact: South Dakota Board of Regents. 306 E. Capital Avenue, Suite 200, Pierre, SD 57501-3159. Phone: (605) 773-3455.
If covered under Workers' Compensation, dependents may also be eligible for a scholarship of $2,000 per year for up to five years payable to a state post-secondary education institute.
Contact: Division of Labor and Management, South Dakota Department of Labor. Kneip Building, Third Floor, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2291. Phone: (605) 773-3681. |
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| Tennessee |
Dependent Children Scholarship Program provides scholarships to full-time undergraduates for a maximum of four years or the period of time needed to complete a program of study. Assistance limited by contributions from other sources. Student must be a state resident attending a state college/university.
Contact: Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. 404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1950, Parkway Towers, Nashville, TN 37243-0820. Phone: (615) 741-1346 or (800) 342-1663. www.state.tn.us/tsac. |
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| Texas |
For deaths occurring before September 1, 2001: Tuition, dues, fees, and charges are waived at public state institutions. This benefit does not include lodging, board, or clothing. It may be used at public junior colleges, senior colleges, and universities. It can be used for eight semesters and is not restricted to undergraduate education. The applicant must be age 21 or under when first applying. For deaths occurring on or after September 1, 2001: Students are exempt from tuition and fees at institution of higher education until the student receives a bachelor's degree or 200 hours of college credit, whichever occurs first. If the student elects to reside in housing provided by the institution and qualifies to reside there, the institution shall pay the cost of the student's contract for housing and food, as well as the cost of the student's textbooks, until the student receives a bachelor's degree or 200 hours or course credit, whichever occurs first.
Contact: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Capitol Station, PO Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711. Phone: (512) 427-6101. |
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| Utah |
Police Officer's and Firefighter's Survivor Tuition Act, also referred to as the "Golden Shield" policy. Tuition waivers can be used for undergraduate education for not more than nine semesters. Students must be in a program of study leading to a degree or certificate. They must attend a state institution of higher education and be under age 25. Some private institutions also provide this benefit but are not required to do so. Financial need is a consideration for the waiver.
Contact: Utah State Board of Regents, Utah System of Higher Education. Board of Regents Building, The Gateway, 60 South 400 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84101-1284. Phone: (801) 321-7100. www.utahsbr.edu/html/board.html. |
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| Vermont |
None. |
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| Virginia |
Undergraduate tuition and required educational and auxiliary fees waived for children aged 16-25 at any public institution of higher learning in Virginia.
Contact: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. James Monroe Building, 101 N. Fourteenth Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Phone: (804) 225-2600. www.schev.edu. |
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| Washington |
State and regional universities and the Evergreen State College may exempt all or a portion of tuition, services, and activities fees for the children of firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty. Must begin course of study at a state-supported college or university within 10 years of graduation from high school. Each state institution individually determines the amount of benefit.
Contact: Higher Education Coordinating Board. 917 Lakeridge Way, PO Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430. Phone: (360) 753-7800. www.hecb.wa.gov. |
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| West Virginia |
Tuition waived and some fees covered at state institutions of higher learning. Covers full-time undergraduate education for no more than four years.
Contact: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. 1018 Kanawha Boulevard East, Suite 700, Charleston, WV 25301. Phone: (304) 558-2101. |
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| Wisconsin |
Program and material fees waived to any resident undergraduate student who is enrolled in a bachelor's degree, associate degree, or technical diploma program at a state institution. Line-of-duty death must have occurred when the child was under age 21 or unborn. Stepchildren are eligible for this benefit. Student may not receive a remission for more than five consecutive years in the University of Wisconsin System or for more than three consecutive years in the Wisconsin Technical College System.
Contact: University of Wisconsin System, Academic Affairs Division. 1620 Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706. Phone: (608) 262-8778.
Wisconsin Technical College System Board. 310 Price Place, PO Box 7874, Madison, WI 53707-7874. Phone: (608) 266-1207. |
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| Wyoming |
None. |
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