Tennessee 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
Modest grant for post-9/11 campaign-medal veterans; family waiver for deaths/POW/MIA only.
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
Helping Heroes Grant (TCA 49-4-938)
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- $1,000 per semester for 12+ completed hours, or $500 for 6-11 hours; up to 8 full semesters; paid after the term at eligible 2- and 4-year schools
- Who qualifies and limits
- Honorably discharged, or Guard/reservist called to active federal service. Awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal or GWOT Expeditionary Medal on or after 9/11/2001. TN resident 1 year before applying. No prior bachelor's. Not in loan default.
For spouses and children
Dependents Tuition Waiver (TCA 49-7-102)
- What it covers
- Tuition and specified fees at state-owned institutions
- Who qualifies and limits
- Child or spouse of a veteran killed, died of injuries, POW or MIA during qualifying armed conflict. HB 299 (100% P&T expansion) was a bill only.
If you left the service 15 to 20 years ago
Helping Heroes has no discharge time limit, but needs a post-9/11 campaign or GWOT Expeditionary Medal (not the GWOT Service Medal) and no bachelor's. Tennessee Reconnect (free community college for adults) isn't veteran-specific and wasn't verified here.
Who to contact
- State veterans agency
- Tennessee Department of Veterans Services
- Education office
- Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) / College Pays
- State Approving Agency (approves schools and programs for the GI Bill)
- Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Veterans Education (SAA)
Sources we checked
- tnreconnect.gov/Pay-For-College/Education-Benefits-for-Veterans-and-Active-
- tn.gov/veteran/veteran-education/scholarships/dependents/dependent
- comptroller.tn.gov/content/dam/cot/orea/advanced-search/2026/VeteransReport.pd
Federal benefits such as the GI Bill and VR&E are separate. See the FAQ and the GI Bill programs.