Military and Veterans

KSU strives to be one of the nation's top military friendly schools by offering a wide range of veteran-focused educational and support services. We appreciate our military and veteran students' service to our country. We strive to help every student receive in-state tuition within the parameters of Board of Regents policy 4.3.2 Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes and 7.3.4.1 Out-of-State Tuition Waivers. Most active members of the armed forces and veterans qualify for in-state tuition thanks to the changes in policy made by the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014. HOWEVER, it is not automatic. You must comply with the eligibility requirements listed below for your military status.

Students Whose State of Legal Residence is Georgia

Students and their dependents returning to the state of Georgia following military service may be considered a Resident of Georgia if their State of Legal Residence remained Georgia and properly filed a Georgia tax return as a Georgia Resident for the tax year immediately preceding the term the student is seeking in-state tuition. State of Legal Residence (SLR) is the state to which the service member will pay taxes on the income earned in the military. Home State of Record is different from State of Legal Residence as the military member does not have to continue to pay taxes to their Home State of Record if the military member changes their State of Legal Residence. If a veteran student's SLR is not Georgia, they will not be classified as a Resident until they meet all eligibility requirements for residency as outlined on the Georgia Residency page. However, the student may qualify for the Separated Military Out-of-State Tuition Waiver.

Students Who are Active Members of the Armed Forces & Their Dependents

Students stationed or assigned to an active duty military unit in the US Armed Forces, Georgia National Guard, or US Reserves in Georgia may qualify for in-state tuition. Additionally, other members of qualifying federal service, as defined bin 20 U.S. Code 搂 1015d(d) may qualify for in-state tuition. If the student or their parent/spouse's SLR is Georgia and meets all other eligibility requirements for residency the student may be considered a Resident of Georgia. Documentation may be requested to verify.

If the student does not meet these eligibility requirements they may qualify for:

 

  • An out-of-state tuition waiver may be granted based on qualifications listed below. Active-duty military personnel, and other members of a qualifying Federal service are defined in 20 U.S. Code 搂 1015d(d). The member, their spouses, and their dependent children must meet one of the following criteria:

    1. The military or other qualified sponsor is currently stationed in or assigned to Georgia;
    2. The military or other qualified sponsor previously stationed in or assigned to Georgia is reassigned outside of Georgia, and the spouse or dependent child remains continuously enrolled in a Georgia high school, TCSG institution, or a USG institution
    3. The military or other qualified sponsor is reassigned outside of Georgia and the spouse or dependent child remains in Georgia;
    4. The military or other qualified sponsor is stationed in a state contiguous to the Georgia border and resides in Georgia;
    5. The military or other qualified sponsor stationed in or assigned to Georgia is reassigned outside of Georgia in the five years immediately preceding the first day of classes;
    6. Dependent children of a military sponsor if the child completed at least one year of high school in Georgia; or,
    7. Any student utilizing VA educational benefits transferred from a currently serving military member, even if the student is no longer a dependent of the transferor.

    Students may now continue to receive the Active Duty and Qualifying Members of Service Out-of-State Tuition Waiver provided they remain continuously enrolled. Any break in enrollment for a Fall or Spring term forfeits their waiver and must reapply or petition to change their tuition classification upon re-enrollment if they want to continue to pay in-state tuition.

  • A student who, as of the first day of class, can provide documentation supporting that they or their spouse/parent/US court-appointed legal guardian are currently participating in active duty, stationed or assigned to Georgia with the Georgia National Guard, or is an active member of a Georgia based unit of the U.S. Military Reserves, may qualify immediately for an out-of-state tuition differential waiver. The student may continue to receive waiver provided they remain continuously enrolled.

Students Who Have Separated From the Armed Forces

Students who have separated from active-duty service and whose SLR is not Georgia for the most recent tax year may qualify for the Separated Military Out-of-State Tuition Waiver. Separated military members from a uniformed military service of the United States qualify who meet one of the following:

  • Individual who within thirty-six (36) months of separation from such service enroll in an academic program and physically residing in the state of Georgia. This waiver may also be granted to their spouses and dependent children.
  • Any separated service member or any student utilizing transferred VA educational benefits and physically residing in the state of Georgia.
  • If the military sponsor died in service (as described in 38 U.S.C. 3679)) and the student is using their VA benefits that have been transferred to the student.

Students may continue to receive the Separated Military Waiver provided they remain continuously enrolled. Any break in enrollment for a Fall or Spring term forfeits their waiver and must reapply or petition to change their tuition classification upon re-enrollment if they want to continue to pay in-state tuition.

The following links are provided for more information with respect to military/veterans services and tuition classification requirements at KSU: