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A High School Diploma for Leaving School to Serve

CGS 10-221a(i) lets a local or regional board of education award a high school diploma to an honorably discharged veteran of the Second World War, Korea or the Vietnam era who withdrew from high school before graduating in order to serve, and did not get a diploma as a result. The award is at the board's discretion rather than mandatory.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

CGS 10-221a(i) lets a local or regional board of education award a high school diploma to an honorably discharged veteran of the Second World War, Korea or the Vietnam era who withdrew from high school before graduating in order to serve, and did not get a diploma as a result. The award is at the board's discretion rather than mandatory.

What it's worth: A high school diploma, at the board's discretion

  • The award is PERMISSIVE. The board may award the diploma; it is not required to.
  • It covers honorably discharged veterans of the Second World War, the Korean War and the Vietnam era.
  • The veteran must have withdrawn from high school before graduating in order to serve, and not have received a diploma as a consequence.
  • It is awarded by a local or regional board of education, not by the state.
  • There is no fee and no disability test.

Who is entitled to it

  • You withdrew from high school in order to serve.
  • You were discharged honorably.
  • You are in Connecticut.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Apply to the local or regional board of education, usually the one covering the school you left.
  2. 2Take the discharge document. For this cohort that may be an older form rather than a DD-214.
  3. 3Ask early in the school year. The award is discretionary and boards typically take these at a meeting.
  4. 4If refused, the board is within its rights — the statute permits rather than requires. Ask what would change the answer.
Form
Application to the local or regional board of education
File with
Your local or regional board of education
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Known gapThe statute was confirmed current through a 2024 statutes mirror, but no current state agency page was opened. The award being discretionary is stated in the record rather than assumed away.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.