Free Tuition for Dependents of National Guard Members (Deceased/Disabled)
Free tuition for children (under 25) and spouses of SD National Guard members who died or became totally disabled in line of duty.
State BenefitSouth DakotaEducation & Training
Verified September 30, 2026 against vetaffairs.sd.gov
At a glance
- Benefit type
- Education & Training — South Dakota
- Who it's for
- Spouses, Survivors, Dependents
- VA rating needed
- No rating requirement
- Estimated value
- Full undergraduate tuition
- Where it applies
- South Dakota
- Last verified
- September 30, 2026
What is Free Tuition for Dependents of National Guard Members (Deceased/Disabled)?
Free Tuition for Dependents of National Guard Members (Deceased/Disabled) is a South Dakota education & training benefit for spouses, survivors, dependents. Free tuition for children (under 25) and spouses of SD National Guard members who died or became totally disabled in line of duty. The listed value is Full undergraduate tuition.
Who qualifies
- Spouses
- Survivors
- Dependents
- Through veteran sponsor (any rating)
- South Dakota residency
Who is eligible
Eligibility
National Guard member must have died or become totally disabled while on state/federal active duty or authorized training duty. Children must be under 25.
What Free Tuition for Dependents of National Guard Members (Deceased/Disabled) covers
Covers
Full undergraduate tuition at SD state-supported universities and technical colleges.
How to apply for Free Tuition for Dependents of National Guard Members (Deceased/Disabled)
How to apply
Contact the SD Dept of Veterans Affairs.
Verified information & sources
- Last verified
- September 30, 2026
- Official source
- vetaffairs.sd.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.
How VetUnlock verifies benefitsFrequently asked questions about Free Tuition for Dependents of National Guard Members (Deceased/Disabled)
Who qualifies for Free Tuition for Dependents of National Guard Members (Deceased/Disabled)?
Free Tuition for Dependents of National Guard Members (Deceased/Disabled) is for Spouses, Survivors, Dependents; Through veteran sponsor (any rating); south dakota residency. See the eligibility details on this page and confirm with the official source before applying.
How much is Free Tuition for Dependents of National Guard Members (Deceased/Disabled) worth?
The listed value is Full undergraduate tuition. Amounts can change — confirm the current figure at the official source linked on this page.
How do I apply for Free Tuition for Dependents of National Guard Members (Deceased/Disabled)?
Apply through the official source linked on this page. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.
Where can I verify Free Tuition for Dependents of National Guard Members (Deceased/Disabled)?
Benefit rules and dollar amounts change, so always confirm current details at the official source linked on this page. A free, accredited county or state Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can also verify your eligibility and help you apply.
Other South Dakota Education & Training
- South Dakota National Guard Tuition Assistance$32,000-$40,000+ for undergraduate degree100% tuition reduction at state-supported universities for active SD National Guard members (up to 128 credits).
- Free Tuition for Dependents of Deceased Veterans$32,000-$40,000+ over four yearsFree tuition at SD state-supported institutions for children (under 25) of veterans killed in action or who died while on active duty.
- Free Tuition for Dependents of POWs/MIAsFull tuition and mandatory feesFree tuition and mandatory fees at state-supported schools for children and spouses of POWs or MIAs.
- In-State Tuition for Nonresident Veterans and DependentsSavings of several thousand dollars per yearNonresident veterans, service members, and dependents are considered residents for tuition purposes at SD public institutions.