Benefits Request Overview
Combat Tuition Exemption Waiver
Point of Contact: Bradley Wojtiuk - School Certifying Official
Note: Students who are not pursuing undergraduate degrees or certificate programs SHOULD NOT apply for the Combat tuition Exemption Waiver
Students must submit a Combat tuition Exemption Waiver to the Office of Veteran Success EVERY SEMESTER
The State of Florida provides a tuition and fee waiver for eligible veterans and active-duty service members who have received a Purple Heart or another qualifying combat decoration superior in precedence. At the University of South Florida (USF), the waiver covers undergraduate tuition and associate fees for up to 110% of the credit hours required for the student’s degree or certificate program. The waiver applies only to eligible tuition and fees associated with credit-hour instruction provided directly by USF and does not cover additional expenses such as textbooks, housing, parking, study abroad expenses, or other costs outside the scope of the waiver
According to the official guidelines outlined in the Florida Statues Section 1009.26(8), acceptable awards for the Combat Tuition Exemption Waiver are the following:
- Medal of Honor
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Navy Cross
- Air Force Cross
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit (must be awarded with a "V" device for combat)
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Bronze Star Medal (must be awarded with a "V" device for combat)
- Purple Heart
Who is eligible?
- Student Veterans or students who are Active Duty who received a combat decoration
- Students with DOW documentation or DD Form 214 with a combat decoration
Requirement for Eligibility
- Current Florida resident for tuition purposes, or Florida resident while being awarded the combat decoration.
- Admitted into USF, and actively enrolled in an undergraduate program, cannot be non-degree seeking
- Must submit the DD-214 form issued at the time of separation from service that identifies the student received the combat decoration (other documentation may be acceptable).
Complete the following form PRIOR TO the FIRST day of classes EVERY SEMESTER you are eligible for the program.