I. Tuition Waiver for Children of Disabled New Hampshire Veterans Program
1. Description of Program. Tuition waivers are awarded to children of totally and permanently disabled New Hampshire Veterans to reduce the cost of attendance at University System of New Hampshire institutions as described below.
2. Definitions
2.1 “Tuition Waiver for Children of Disabled New Hampshire Veterans” program refers to the provisions established in New Hampshire RSA 187-A:20, effective July 1, 2021.
2.2 “Totally and permanently disabled New Hampshire veteran” is a separated service member who:
2.2.1 was discharged from the Armed Services and with a rating of other than dishonorable as determined by service member’s DD-214, and;
2.2.2 is totally and permanently disabled from such service-connected disability as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on the service member’s Summary of Benefits Letter or through other appropriate documentation, and;
2.2.3 was domiciled in New Hampshire at the time they entered military service or when they received their 100% disability determination, and;
2.2.4 is currently a resident of New Hampshire [effective June 17, 2022 - OR was a resident of New Hampshire at the time of their death].
2.3 “Child” or “Student” refers to a biological, adopted, or stepchild from marriage of a totally and permanently disabled New Hampshire veteran who meets the university system's residency requirements and is under the age of 27. In the case of a stepchild, the parents must be married at the time of application and remain so during the entire time of eligibility.
2.4 “University System of New Hampshire (USNH)” refers to the state’s public four-year institutions of postsecondary education: Granite State College (GSC), Plymouth State University (PSU), Keene State College (KSC), and the University of New Hampshire (UNH).
2.5 “Eligible program” is a USNH academic program leading to the award of an undergraduate certificate, associate degree, or first bachelor’s degree that is approved to receive Title IV federal financial aid.
2.6 “Tuition waiver” is a form of gift aid that represents the difference between all other gift aid and the tuition charged to a New Hampshire resident enrolled at a USNH institution in an eligible program.
2.7 “Gift aid” is financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, or other financial assistance that does not obligate service or monetary repayment. This definition shall not include Chapter 35 benefits.
2.8 “Term” shall mean the date as published in the institution’s academic calendar.
3. Eligibility
3.1 An eligible applicant for a tuition waiver must meet the following criteria:
3.1.1 Be a child of a totally and permanently disabled New Hampshire veteran; and
3.1.2 Be under the age of 27 on the first day of term during which the child intends to use the waiver; and
3.1.3 Meet the requirements establishing New Hampshire residency (domicile) as set forth in USNH Board of Trustees Policy BOT IV.E.6.1; and
3.1.4 Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be eligible to receive Title IV federal financial aid at the institution; and
3.1.5 Have exhausted all available Ch. 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits and other federally funded military tuition assistance; and
3.1.6 Have utilized available federal aid and taken reasonable steps to apply for other gift aid as suggested by the financial aid office of their respective institution; and
3.1.7 Met the specified application deadline of each respective public institution to which they have applied.
3.2 Tuition waivers will be applied in the semester they are received and going forward. Tuition waivers will not be applied retroactively to previously completed semesters.
3.3 The tuition waiver applies only to eligible programs as defined above.
3.4 Tuition waivers may not be transferred to other individuals.
3.5 Changes to award eligibility may be implemented by USNH in compliance with state law.
4. Application
4.1 Each applicant for a tuition waiver must initially complete the Tuition Waiver for Children of Disabled New Hampshire Veterans application form and signature section.
4.2 Upon satisfactory completion of the application and upon satisfaction of waiver eligibility requirements, the UNH Military and Veteran Services Office will certify that the applicant meets program eligibility requirements and forward that determination to the USNH institutions the student has expressed interest in attending.
5. Award and Payment of Tuition Waiver
5.1 The tuition waiver will be awarded by the USNH institution at which the recipient is enrolled and will be applied directly to the student's financial account after all other gift aid is applied.
5.2 The tuition waiver, in combination with all other forms of gift aid, may not exceed the tuition charged to a New Hampshire resident enrolled at a USNH institution in an eligible program.
6. Renewal of Tuition Waiver
6.1 Individuals seeking to renew a tuition waiver must have, in the preceding academic year, demonstrated satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution.
6.2 An eligible waiver recipient at USNH may receive up to six annual tuition waivers commensurate with 150% of the normal length of time required for completion of the certificate or degree being sought.
7. Annual Report
7.1 Each summer, the USNH institutions shall report to the USNH Administrative Board the number of waivers requested, number of waivers approved, and the total tuition waived during the prior academic year. The report may include suggested changes to the administration of the program.
