Kentucky 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
Solid dependents' tuition waiver (incl. non-SC totally disabled wartime vets), 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
Kentucky National Guard Tuition Award
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- In-state tuition at Kentucky public and private schools until one associate and one bachelor's degree.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Current Kentucky National Guard members only.
For spouses and children
Kentucky Dependent Tuition Waiver (KRS 164.505-164.515)
- What it covers
- Tuition ONLY (not room/board, books or fees) at any two-year, four-year or vocational-technical school operated and funded by Kentucky. Expires at degree/certificate, after 45 months of classes, or at age 26 (children).
- Who qualifies and limits
- For children, stepchildren, spouses and un-remarried surviving spouses. Veteran died on active duty, died of SC disability, is 100% service-connected disabled, is totally disabled (non-SC) with wartime service, or is deceased with wartime service and lived in KY at death. Veteran must be a CURRENT KY resident (or resident at death). SSA awards not accepted. Student need not be a KY resident.
If you left the service 15 to 20 years ago
Nothing for veterans themselves. Dependents' waiver has no discharge deadline; veteran only needs current KY residency.
Who to contact
- State veterans agency
- Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA)
- Education office
- KDVA – Kentucky Tuition Waiver
- State Approving Agency (approves schools and programs for the GI Bill)
- Kentucky Approving Agency for Veterans Education (KCTCS)
Sources we checked
- veterans.ky.gov/Benefits/Pages/Education-for-Veterans-in-Kentucky.aspx
- veterans.kctcs.edu/
- myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/State/Territory-Benefits/Kentucky
Federal benefits such as the GI Bill and VR&E are separate. See the FAQ and the GI Bill programs.