Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability)
Full tuition waiver at Arizona public universities and community colleges. Primary pathway requires a Purple Heart citation, AZ residency or AZ-stationed at time of injury, AND a 50%+ service-connected disability rating (ARS 15-1808).
At a glance
- Benefit type
- Education & Training — Arizona
- Who it's for
- Veterans, National Guard, Spouses, Survivors, Dependents
- VA rating needed
- 50% or higher
- Estimated value
- Full tuition waiver
- Where it applies
- Arizona
- Last verified
- May 12, 2026
What is Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability)?
Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability) is a Arizona education & training benefit for veterans, national guard, spouses, survivors, dependents. Full tuition waiver at Arizona public universities and community colleges. Primary pathway requires a Purple Heart citation, AZ residency or AZ-stationed at time of injury, AND a 50%+ service-connected disability rating (ARS 15-1808). Requires 50%+ VA disability rating. The listed value is Full tuition waiver.
Who qualifies
- Requires 50%+ VA disability rating
- Purple Heart recipient
- Arizona residency
What Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability) covers
Overview
Eligibility (Subsection F — Armed Forces Purple Heart): Member or former member of U.S. Armed Forces who received a Purple Heart citation, was an Arizona resident or stationed in Arizona at the time of the injury that resulted in the Purple Heart, and has a VA disability rating of 50% or more. (No post-9/11 date restriction in F — that limit applies only to Subsection E.) Must otherwise meet university admission requirements.
Also covers (Subsection A — Line-of-duty deaths): Unremarried surviving spouse or child (age 30 or younger) of an AZ National Guard member, Armed Forces member, peace officer, firefighter, or paramedic killed in the line of duty or who died from line-of-duty injuries.
Also covers (Subsection B — PTSI suicide): Spouse or child of a veteran or former first responder who suffered post-traumatic stress injury in the line of duty and died by suicide.
Also covers (Subsection E — AZ National Guard): Current AZ National Guard member who received a Purple Heart on or after 9/11/2001 in response to a Governor-declared state of emergency, OR former AZ National Guard member medically discharged due to a Title 10 line-of-duty injury or disability.
Felony exclusion
Anyone convicted of a Class 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 felony is ineligible.
Covers
Full tuition waiver for an undergraduate degree at any Arizona public university (ASU, UA, NAU) or community college. Covers base tuition and related fees per ABOR guidance — excludes books, parking, and room/board. Can be used concurrently with the federal GI Bill.
Authority
ARS 15-1808.
How to apply for Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability)
How to apply
Complete the Tuition Waiver and Verification Form and email to TuitionWaiver@azdvs.gov.
Verified information & sources
Last verified: May 12, 2026
Official source: dvs.az.gov
Compiled and fact-checked against the official source linked above. Benefit rules and dollar amounts change over time — always confirm current details at the official source before applying. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is a free, accredited advocate who can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.
Frequently asked questions about Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability)
Who qualifies for Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability)?▾
What VA disability rating do I need for Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability)?▾
How much is Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability) worth?▾
How do I apply for Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability)?▾
Where can I verify Tuition Waiver Scholarship (Purple Heart + 50% Disability)?▾
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