Children of disabled vets may be eligible for tuition, fee remission at public colleges

Under Indiana law, children of certain disabled veterans are eligible for tuition and fee remission at Indiana public colleges and universities. This benefit is extended to children of veterans who have suffered a service-connected disability, defined as a disability that resulted directly from an injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service.

Eligibility criteria for tuition, fee remission

To qualify for this benefit, students must meet specific criteria:

• 1. Relationship: The student must be the biological or adopted child of a veteran who meets the disability criteria.
• 2. Disability requirement: The veteran parent must have a certified service-connected disability rated as at least 10% disabling by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
• 3. Residency: The student and the veteran parent must be legal residents of Indiana for at least 36 consecutive months immediately preceding the child's enrollment in an eligible institution.

The benefits and what's covered

The tuition and fee remission benefit covers the cost of tuition and regularly assessed fees for undergraduate coursework at any Indiana public college or university.

This includes tuition for up to 124 credit hours at the undergraduate level, provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress.

Applying for the benefit

Applying for tuition and fee remission typically involves several steps:

• 1. Veteran certification: The veteran parent must provide documentation of their service-connected disability from the VA.
• 2. Residency proof: Both the student and the veteran parent must establish legal residency in Indiana.
• 3. College admission: The student must apply for admission to an eligible Indiana public college or university.
• 4. Application submission: The application for tuition and fee remission must be submitted to the college or university's financial aid or veterans affairs office.

Conclusion

Indiana's tuition and fee remission program for children of disabled veterans exemplifies the state's commitment to honoring and supporting those who have served. By easing the financial burden of higher education, Indiana ensures that the sacrifices made by veterans and their families are recognized and rewarded with access to quality educational opportunities.

For more information on eligibility criteria and application procedures, veterans and their families are encouraged to contact their nearest VA office or visit the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs website.

If you are interested in volunteering to drive for the DAV Van, need assistance filing a VA disability claim, or have questions about federal, state or local veterans benefits, please contact my office. Steven Miller, Monroe County Veteran Service Officer: 812-349-2537, smiller@co.monroe.in.us.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Children of disabled vets may be eligible for tuition, fee remission at public colleges