Florida 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
Instant in-state rates for any honorably discharged vet and free tuition for Purple Heart recipients; teacher-exam fee waiver, but no broad free tuition.
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
Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Waives OUT-OF-STATE fees (pay in-state rate immediately) at state universities, Florida College System institutions, charter technical career centers and career centers. Not free tuition.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Honorably discharged veteran of an active or reserve component; must physically reside in Florida while enrolled; proof of FL residency and discharge.
Tuition Waiver for Purple Heart or Superior Combat Decoration recipients (F.S. 1009.26)
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Tuition for a degree or certificate program up to 110% of required hours at state career centers, Florida College System institutions and state universities. Not books, housing, food.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Purple Heart or higher combat decoration (MOH, Navy/Air Force Cross, DSC, Silver Star); Florida resident for tuition purposes; enrolled in a certificate or degree program.
Honorably Discharged Graduate Assistance Program (HDGAP)
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Need-based help with living expenses during holiday and semester breaks: up to $50/day, max 20 days per academic year. Not tuition.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Resident veterans/service members; need-based; funds limited.
For spouses and children
Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV)
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Tuition and registration fees at eligible Florida institutions, up to 110% of required credit hours.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Veteran was a Florida resident and died of SC causes, is rated 100% P&T service-connected, or was declared POW/MIA.
Tuition waiver for surviving spouse/children of service members killed in the line of duty (F.S. 295.061)
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Tuition, matriculation and registration fees for up to 120 credit hours (career certificate, undergraduate or postgraduate).
- Who qualifies and limits
- Service member killed in the line of duty.
Help with exam and license fees
Military Certification Fee Waiver (MCFW) – teacher certification (Don Hahnfeldt Veteran and Military Family Opportunity Act)
- What it pays for
- Waives initial educator certification fees ($75/subject etc.) and registration fees for initial attempts on Florida teacher certification exams (FTCE/FELE). Teaching only – not IT certifications.
"The Don Hahnfeldt Veteran and Military Family Opportunity Act provides the opportunity to for members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their spouses to request a waiver for initial certification fees and certification examination fees." ... "Registration fees for initial attempts on examinations for certification will be waived for educator candidates granted MCFW eligibility."
DBPR Military Veteran licensing fee waivers (HB 7015 / F.S. 455.213; HB 615)
- What it pays for
- Waives initial license, application and unlicensed-activity fees for state professional licenses regulated by DBPR. Does not waive exam fees.
"The application must be submitted within 60 months after the veteran has been honorably discharged ... Please note, this waiver does not include examination fees or other incidental fees." A separate HB 615 (2017) waiver covers the initial licensing fee for current/former active-duty members applying for licensure.
If you left the service 15 to 20 years ago
No general free-tuition program for veterans. Purple Heart/combat-decoration waiver has no discharge-date limit. DBPR's main licensing-fee waiver requires applying within 60 months of discharge, so a 2006 separatee would not qualify under that path (the HB 615 waiver's scope is unclear). The teacher exam fee waiver (MCFW) has no stated time limit.
Who to contact
- State veterans agency
- Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA)
- Education office
- FDVA Education (Bureau of State Approving for Veterans' Training)
- State Approving Agency (approves schools and programs for the GI Bill)
- Florida Bureau of State Approving for Veterans' Training (Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs)
Sources we checked
- fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/military/
- fldoe.org/teaching/certification/military/fee-waivers.stml
- www2.myfloridalicense.com/military-services/veterans-services/
- myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/State/Territory-Benefits/Florida
- nasaa-vetseducation.com/nasaa-contacts/
Federal benefits such as the GI Bill and VR&E are separate. See the FAQ and the GI Bill programs.