Georgia 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
Benefits are limited to Guard/Reserve combat veterans and their families; nothing for most separated active-duty vets.
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
USG Waiver of Mandatory Fees for U.S. Military Reserve and Georgia National Guard Combat Veterans (BOR Policy 7.3.4.1)
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Waiver of all mandatory fees at University System of Georgia institutions (not tuition, housing, elective/special fees).
- Who qualifies and limits
- Reserve or Georgia National Guard members who served in combat – not regular active-duty veterans.
USG out-of-state tuition waivers for military and recently separated service members
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- What it covers
- Resident tuition rate for eligible nonresident service members, separated service members and dependents. Rate only.
- Who qualifies and limits
- 'Recently separated' – see BOR Policy 7.3.4.1.
Georgia HERO Scholarship
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Scholarship for Georgia National Guard / Reserve members deployed to a combat zone (and their spouses/children).
- Who qualifies and limits
- Guard or Georgia-resident Reserve member deployed to a designated combat zone, generally 181+ cumulative days. Not for regular active-duty veterans.
For spouses and children
Georgia HERO Scholarship (Categories 2-4)
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Scholarship for children/spouses.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Children of Guard/Reserve members deployed to a combat zone; spouses/children of such members killed or 100% disabled as a result of that deployment.
If you left the service 15 to 20 years ago
No state tuition benefit for regular active-duty veterans. Benefits are tied to Guard/Reserve combat deployments.
Who to contact
- State veterans agency
- Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS)
- Education office
- GDVS Veterans Education & Training Division (State Approving Agency)
- State Approving Agency (approves schools and programs for the GI Bill)
- Georgia State Approving Agency (GDVS Veterans Education & Training Division)
Sources we checked
- veterans.georgia.gov/education
- usg.edu/student-affairs/military/services-and-benefits/
- gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/scholarships-grants/hero/
- myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/State/Territory-Benefits/Georgia
Federal benefits such as the GI Bill and VR&E are separate. See the FAQ and the GI Bill programs.