Nevada 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
Covers fees at all NSHE schools, but only for Purple Heart recipients and their children.
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
NSHE Purple Heart Fee Waiver (NRS 396.5443; Board of Regents Handbook Title 4 Ch. 17)
- What it covers
- Registration fees (Nevada's per-credit resident charge), lab fees and other mandatory fees at NSHE institutions, after federal aid and VA benefits are applied. Recipient is treated as a Nevada resident for tuition purposes.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Purple Heart recipients only. Must file the FAFSA and give a VA Certificate of Eligibility or VR&E document. Must be in a certificate or degree program. UNR excludes e-course materials, application fees and health insurance.
For spouses and children
NSHE Purple Heart Fee Waiver, children
- What it covers
- Same fee waiver for the child of a Purple Heart veteran
- Who qualifies and limits
- Veteran is (or was at death) a Nevada resident; child graduated from a Nevada high school; usable for 10 years after age 18 (or after first enrollment if earlier)
If you left the service 15 to 20 years ago
Purple Heart only. No time limit after discharge is stated; federal benefits are applied first if the veteran still has any.
Who to contact
- State veterans agency
- Nevada Department of Veterans Services
- Education office
- Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), Student Veterans
- State Approving Agency (approves schools and programs for the GI Bill)
- Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education (State Approving Agency)
Sources we checked
- veterans.nv.gov/veteran-resources/education/
- nshe.nevada.edu/system-administration/departments/asa/students/student-vete
- nshe.nevada.edu/wp-content/uploads/file/BoardOfRegents/Handbook/title4/T4-C
- unr.edu/veteran/benefits/purple-heart-recipient-fee-waiver
Federal benefits such as the GI Bill and VR&E are separate. See the FAQ and the GI Bill programs.