We owe our utmost gratitude and respect to the surviving spouses and children of Pennsylvania National Guard members who die in the line of duty while serving the Commonwealth and our Nation. The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) administers a tuition waiver program, with the support of Pennsylvania’s state and community colleges and trade schools, to help these surviving spouses and children rebuild their lives and livelihoods in the aftermath of a devastating sacrifice.
To qualify, the service member must have been:
- A bona fide resident of Pennsylvania at the time of death;
- A member of the Pennsylvania Army or Air National Guard; and
- Serving on state or federal active-duty orders at the time of death.
The eligible surviving spouses and children must be:
- Bona fide residents of Pennsylvania at the time application;
- Applying to or attending a Pennsylvania state-owned college or university, approved trade school, state-related institution of higher learning, or community college; and
- Eligible for resident tuition at the institution.
State-owned (PASSHE) universities and colleges, state-related universities and colleges, and community colleges can be found by selecting the appropriate sector in the “sector” column on this PA Department of Education website. Applicants should check with DMVA for a list of approved trade schools.
Surviving spouses and children interested in applying for the tuition waiver should contact a DMVA Veterans Services Officer at 717-861-8910 or 800-547-2838 toll free. Casualty Assistance Officers may inquire on the survivors’ behalf as well.
Authority: Title 51 Pa. Consolidated Statutes Section 3503
If you have any questions about the tuition waiver, contact the DMVA at:
RA-EG@pa.gov. (Please do not send completed applications or personally identifiable information over e-mail).