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Free Tuition for the Children and Spouse of a Member Killed, Held or Missing

Tennessee waives TUITION, MAINTENANCE FEES, STUDENT ACTIVITY FEES, REGISTRATION FEES AND ADMISSION at its state-owned colleges and universities for the dependants of a member killed, who died as a direct result of injuries received, or officially reported a PRISONER OF WAR OR MISSING IN ACTION while serving during a qualifying period of armed conflict. The waiver covers a long list of charges rather than tuition alone, which is what makes it close to a complete education. The veteran parent must have been a TENNESSEE RESIDENT AT THE TIME OF DEATH.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Tennessee waives TUITION, MAINTENANCE FEES, STUDENT ACTIVITY FEES, REGISTRATION FEES AND ADMISSION at its state-owned colleges and universities for the dependants of a member killed, who died as a direct result of injuries received, or officially reported a PRISONER OF WAR OR MISSING IN ACTION while serving during a qualifying period of armed conflict. The waiver covers a long list of charges rather than tuition alone, which is what makes it close to a complete education. The veteran parent must have been a TENNESSEE RESIDENT AT THE TIME OF DEATH.

What it's worth: Tuition, maintenance, activity, registration fees and admission all waived

  • Waives TUITION, MAINTENANCE FEES, STUDENT ACTIVITY FEES, REGISTRATION FEES AND ADMISSION — not tuition alone.
  • The member must have been KILLED, died as a DIRECT RESULT OF INJURIES RECEIVED, or been officially reported a PRISONER OF WAR OR MISSING IN ACTION.
  • The service must have been DURING A QUALIFYING PERIOD OF ARMED CONFLICT.
  • THE VETERAN PARENT MUST HAVE BEEN A TENNESSEE RESIDENT AT THE TIME OF DEATH.
  • At Tennessee STATE-OWNED colleges and universities.
  • The POW and MIA routes reach families where no death has occurred.

Who is entitled to it

  • You are in one of the groups the waiver reaches.
  • The member was killed, held or reported missing.
  • You are enrolled or applying.
  • Tennessee state-owned institutions.

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 through the institution's veterans or financial aid office, and ask the Department of Veterans Services for guidance if it is unfamiliar with the waiver.
  2. 2Have documentation of the death, the POW status or the MIA report.
  3. 3Confirm the parent's Tennessee residency AT THE TIME OF DEATH — that is the test, not where the family lives now.
  4. 4Ask for the full list of charges waived. It goes well beyond tuition.
  5. 5Ask how it interacts with federal survivor benefits such as DEA and the Fry Scholarship.
Form
Application through the institution, with TDVS guidance
File with
Your Tennessee state-owned college or university
Annual
Claimed once a year.
Worth knowingA family whose member is still listed as missing in action is inside this waiver. Most survivor education benefits require a death certificate.

Sources

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