Rhode Island 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
Free public-college tuition, but only for veterans with a 10%+ rating.
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
Disabled Veterans Tuition Waiver (R.I. Gen. Laws 30-30.1-1)
- What it covers
- Tuition (not fees, books or other charges) at RI public colleges and universities
- Who qualifies and limits
- Permanent RI resident with a 10-100% VA service-connected rating. Schools require applying for aid first; grants and scholarships reduce the waiver.
For spouses and children
No state program for spouses or children was found. Check with the agency below.
If you left the service 15 to 20 years ago
Good fit if the veteran has any service-connected rating (10%+). No discharge time limit is stated.
Who to contact
- State veterans agency
- RI Office of Veterans Services
- State Approving Agency (approves schools and programs for the GI Bill)
- Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (SAA)
Sources we checked
- vets.ri.gov/find-your-benefits/find-your-benefits/disabled-veterans-tui
- webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE30/30-30.1/30-30.1-1.htm
Federal benefits such as the GI Bill and VR&E are separate. See the FAQ and the GI Bill programs.