California veteran education benefits
Stars rate how much each state offers veterans themselves for college, training and exam fees (family-only programs don't count): 5 = free public-college tuition for most resident veterans, no disability rating needed; 3 = partial grants or narrower eligibility; 1 = little or nothing beyond federal benefits. How we rate
One of the broadest dependents' fee waivers in the U.S. (Plan B: any SC rating), but nothing for veterans themselves.
Checked Oct 7, 2026. State benefits change often. Confirm the details with the state agency before you apply.
Verify on the official page means we could not fully confirm that detail on the agency's own page.
For veterans
California Nonresident College Fee Waiver
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Waives nonresident fees at California Community Colleges, CSU and UC for eligible veterans, service members and dependents (rate relief, not free tuition).
- Who qualifies and limits
- See CalVet for eligibility.
California Military Department GI Bill Award (CMD GI Bill)
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of tuition and fees at California public colleges and participating private schools.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Current California National Guard members only.
For spouses and children
CalVet College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents (Plans A, B, C, D)
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at California Community Colleges, CSU and UC campuses. Does not cover books, parking, room and board.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Plan A: spouse/surviving spouse, or child (age 14-27; 30 if a veteran) of a veteran rated 100% service-connected or who died of SC causes; no income limit; cannot be combined with VA Chapter 35. Plan B: children only, no age limit, veteran rated 0% or higher service-connected (or SC death); student income + parental support at or under $22,941 for 2026-27. Plan C: dependents of qualifying CA National Guard members. Plan D: Medal of Honor recipients and their children (undergraduate).
If you left the service 15 to 20 years ago
No state tuition waiver for veterans themselves. The dependents' fee waiver has no time-since-discharge limit and Plan B works with any SC rating (even 0%), but it is for children/spouses, not the veteran.
Who to contact
- State veterans agency
- California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet)
- Education office
- CalVet Veteran Services – Education Benefits
- State Approving Agency (approves schools and programs for the GI Bill)
- California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE), CalVet
Sources we checked
- calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/College-Fee-Waiver.aspx
- calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Documents/California%20Veteran%20Dependent%20Co
- calvet.ca.gov/CSAAVE/
- myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/State/Territory-Benefits/California
Federal benefits such as the GI Bill and VR&E are separate. See the FAQ and the GI Bill programs.