INDIANA – Hoosier veterans and their families may be eligible for a variety of financial aid options, says the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. The Commission administers seven financial aid programs specifically for veterans, public safety officers, and their families, including children and spouses.
Ahead of Veterans Day 2021, the Commission and the state of Indiana are reminding Hoosier veterans and their families of the student financial aid options available, including up to 100 percent of tuition and regularly assessed fees at Indiana public colleges and universities. In 2019, these programs disbursed more than $32 million.
“Indiana’s veterans and public safety officers play a valuable role in preserving our state’s freedom and safety,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “Indiana’s tuition and fee exemption programs provide the brave men and women, and their children and spouses, with peace of mind when it comes to affording higher education.”
Available financial aid programs include:
- Child of Deceased or Disabled Veteran: Provides up to 100 percent tuition and regularly assessed fees at Indiana public college and universities for children of veterans who served in the armed forces during a time of war, was recognized by the award of a service or campaign medal, or who suffered a service-connected death or disability.
- Children of Purple Heart Recipient or Wounded Veteran: Provides up to 100 percent of tuition and regularly assessed fees at Indiana public college and universities for students who are children of a person who served in the armed forces of the United States and received the Purple Heart decoration or was wounded as a result of enemy action, among other requirements.
- Children and Spouse of Indiana National Guard: The Commission offers a supplement to other state grants by covering 100 percent of tuition and regularly assessed fees at Indiana public college and universities for students who are the child or spouse of a member of the Indiana National Guard who suffered a service-connected death while serving on state active duty.
- Indiana Purple Heart Recipient: Provides up to 100 percent of tuition and regularly assessed fees for students at Indiana public college and universities who received the Purple Heart decoration or was wounded as a result of enemy action.
- National Guard Tuition Supplement Grant: Through a partnership with the Indiana National Guard, the Commission guarantees 100 percent of tuition and regularly assessed fees at Indiana public college and universities for eligible members of the Indiana Air and Army National Guard. Students can attend either full-time or part-time and receive the National Guard Tuition Supplement Grant (NGSG) but can only be used in the fall and spring semesters.
- Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home: The Commission offers a supplement to other state grants by guaranteeing 100 percent of tuition and regularly assessed fees at Indiana public college and universities for students who are former students and/or graduates of Morton Memorial High School and former residents of the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home (ISSCH).
- Children and Spouse of Public Safety Officers: Provides up to 100 percent of tuition and regularly assessed fees at Indiana public college and universities for students who are children or spouses of certain Indiana public safety officers (PSO) killed in the line of duty or permanently disabled state troopers.
All students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to use the tuition and fee exemption programs. Applications for state financial aid must be submitted online through the Student ScholarTrack account, available at ScholarTrack.IN.gov.
Questions may be submitted to the Commission for Higher Education by calling 1-888-528-4719 or emailing awards@che.in.gov.
