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Waivers


Western Kentucky University (WKU) Employees are eligible to receive a tuition waiver for courses taken at WKU. For more information and program restrictions, visit the WKU Employee Tuition Waiver Program page.

Eligibility and Application
KRS 164.2847 waives tuition and mandatory fees for Kentucky foster or adopted children at any public Kentucky university, technical, or community college. 

To qualify for the tuition waiver, the youth must meet one of the following criteria: 

  • Currently be in state foster care or Department of Juvenile Justice custody;
  • Be in care at age 18;
  • Have been adopted from state foster care;
  • Have been adopted by a family who receives state adoption assistance; or
  • Be participating in a state-funded independent living program.

And all of the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled in Kentucky public postsecondary education/training;
  • Be and remain academically eligible;
  • Request the waiver within four years of high school graduation or date when the youth should have graduated;
  • Be enrolled in full or part-time study
  • Students can receive the waiver for 150 consecutive or nonconsecutive credit hours earned, after first admittance to any KY institution if satisfactory progress is achieved or maintained up to age 28.

Instructions for Completing the Tuition Waiver Application 
The student must complete Section 1 of the Tuition Waiver Application. The application can be emailed to scholarships@wku.edu, dropped off in the Department of Student Financial Assistance in Potter Hall, or mailed to WKU, Attn: Scholarships, 1906 College Heights Blvd., #11018, Bowling Green, KY 42101.  WKU will complete Section 2 of the application and send it for verification by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Download the tuition waiver application.

Questions concerning verification can be directed to:
Cabinet for Health and Family Services

ATTN: Tuition Waiver Program
275 East Main Street Mail Drop 3 E-D
Frankfort, KY 40621

Phone: 502-564-2147 or 800-232-5437

Email: chafee.ilp@ky.gov

Award, Disbursement, and Notification
The waiver should cover tuition charges and course fees for eligible students. The award will be applied to the university bill and appear as a credit on TopNet. Students who do not qualify will be notified.

Renewal
Tuition waivers are automatically renewable with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (reviewed at the end of each semester). Waivers are renewable for up to 5 academic years or upon graduation.

Eligibility and Application

The Kentucky Academy for Equity in Teaching (KAET) is designed to identify and prepare a pool of highly effective educators poised to transition into the teaching profession in Kentucky’s public and certified non-public schools.

KAET participants receive financial support and training as they are supported and mentored by experienced and effective educators.

Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is seeking candidates who demonstrate:

  • Commitment to the success of diverse students through culturally responsive instruction
  • High levels of energy, determination and perseverance to act as a change agent in education
  • Commitment to equity, integrity, collaboration and achievement for all students
  • Ability to learn quickly, analyze and problem-solve
  • Passion and long-term commitment to improving public education
  • Willingness to participate fully in KAET and be mentored as a pre-service educator

For specific eligibility requirements for undergraduate and graduate students, please visit here.

Students can apply for KAET, by visiting here.

Award & Notification

KAET is a renewable service award program to provide financial support and mentoring to pre-service teachers who are enrolled in, or are awaiting admittance to, an education professional standards board-approved educator preparation program at an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) in Kentucky.

Undergraduate students enrolled in educator preparation programs can receive up to $5,000 per semester for up to four semesters over the course of three academic years and receive no more than $20,000 total. They must be enrolled in an educator preparation program or have an application on file with a Kentucky university.

Students in an initial certification master’s educator preparation programs are eligible to receive up to $2,500 per semester for up to four semesters over the course of three academic years and receive no more than $10,000 total. They must be admitted to a MAT educator preparation program or have an application on file with a public Kentucky university. Eligibility requirements and an online application can be found on the Go Teach KY website and on KDE's website.

The process requires submission of an application and verification of eligibility. Applications for the program will be submitted to KDE for review. The number of approved applications will be based upon qualifications and available funding. This is a competitive award.

Questions concerning KAET can be directed to:

Cathy White
Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness
Division of Educator Preparation, Assessment and Internship

Phone: (502) 564-1479 Ext. 4549

Email: cathy.white@education.ky.gov

Eligibility and Application
(1) The non-remarried spouse, regardless of age, and any child, stepchild, or orphan, under the age of twenty-six (26), of a deceased veteran shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fees upon admission to any state-supported university, junior college, or vocational training institute for a period not in excess of forty-five (45) months in order to obtain a diploma, nor in excess of the lesser number of months required for a certificate of completion, if the deceased parent or spouse:

  • (a)1. Served in the Armed Forces of the United States during a national emergency, wars declared by Congress, or actions of the United Nations; or
  • 2. Died while on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States regardless of wartime service; or
  • 3. Died as a result of a service-connected disability acquired while on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States regardless of wartime service; 

and

  • (b) 1. Was a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky at the time of death; or
  • 2. Was married to a resident of Kentucky at the time of death; and
  • 3. If discharged, was under honorable conditions.

(2)  In order to obtain the benefits conferred by subsection (1), the parent-child relationship must be shown by birth certificate, adoption papers, marriage certificate, or other documentary evidence. A stepchild must have been a member of the veteran's household at the time of the veteran's death. The spousal relationship must be shown by a marriage certificate or other documentary evidence. The parent's or spouse's service and the cause of death must be evidenced by certification from the records of the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, the Veterans Administration Records, or the Department of Defense of the United States.

Effective: June 26, 2007 

Award & Notification
Exemption from matriculation or tuition fee for deceased veteran's spouse or child under age 26.

Disbursement
In the event one so admitted to a state-supported university, junior college, or vocational training institution under this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.

Renewal
Entitlement will expire with the completion of 45 months of education, reached age 26, or if a diploma or certificate of completion is obtained from a state supported college, university or vocational school; whichever comes first. No age limit for spouses.

Contact Information
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
Attn: Tuition Waiver Coordinator
321 West Main St, Suite 390
Louisville, KY 40202

Phone: (502) 595-4447

Toll-Free (800) 928-4012

 Visit the  Veterans website  to learn more.

Eligibility and Application
The parent-child relationship shall be shown by birth certificate, adoption papers, or other documentary evidence. The spousal relationship shall be shown by a marriage certificate or other documentary evidence. The parent's or spouse's service and the cause of death shall be evidenced by certification from the records of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate city or county law enforcement agency which employed the deceased, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes.

Effective: June 26, 2007

Award & Notification
Free tuition at state-supported university, community college or vocational training institution for survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter killed in line of duty -- Free tuition at state-supported school for survivor of other state-administered retirement system participants who died as a result of duty-related injury -- Limitation.

Disbursement
If one so admitted to a state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution under the provisions of this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of his attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.

Renewal
Eligible applicants are permitted to receive this benefit indefinitely.

Contact Information
Western Kentucky University Office of Veterans Affairs
Attn: Lindsey Brown
Potter Hall 323
1906 College Heights Blvd.
Bowling Green, KY 42101

Phone: (270) 745-3732

Eligibility and Application
For the spouse or child to be entitled to benefits under this section, the disabled law enforcement officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter shall be rated permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes or one hundred percent (100%) disabled for compensation purposes by the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate city or county law enforcement agency which employed the disabled, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes, or if deceased, the claim to benefits is to be based on the rating held by the law enforcement officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter at the time of death. The parent's or spouse's service and rating shall be evidenced by certification from the records of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate local law enforcement agency, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes.

In the absence of certification of permanent and total disability by the Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims, the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate local law enforcement agency, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes, medical evidence showing permanent and total disability or the existence of permanent and total disability for a period of at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to death may be accepted, if this evidence is signed by a physician licensed to practice or an official of an accredited medical hospital.

The parent-child relationship shall be shown by birth certificate, legal adoption papers, or other documentary evidence. The spousal relationship shall be shown by a marriage certificate or other documentary evidence.

To entitle a spouse or child to benefits under this section the disabled law enforcement officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter shall have been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky upon becoming a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter.

The parent-child relationship shall be shown by birth certificate, legal adoption papers, or other documentary evidence. The spousal relationship shall be shown by a marriage certificate or other documentary evidence.

The marriage of an eligible child shall not serve to deny full entitlement to the benefits provided in this section.

Effective: July 15, 2010

Award & Notification
Free tuition at state-supported school for survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter permanently and totally disabled in line of duty -- Free tuition at state-supported school for survivor of other state-administered retirement system participants disabled as a result of duty-related injury.

Disbursement
If one so admitted to a state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution under the provisions of this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of his attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.

Renewal
Entitlement will expire with completion of 36 months of education, reached age 23, or if diploma or certificate of completion is obtained from a state support college, university or vocational school, whichever comes first.

Contact Information
Western Kentucky University Office of Veterans Affairs
Attn: Lindsey Brown
Potter Hall 323
1906 College Heights Blvd.,
Bowling Green, KY 42101

Phone: (270) 745-3732

Eligibility and Application
For the spouse or child to be entitled to benefits under this section, the disabled law enforcement officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter shall be rated permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes or one hundred percent (100%) disabled for compensation purposes by the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate city or county law enforcement agency which employed the disabled, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes, or if deceased, the claim to benefits is to be based on the rating held by the law enforcement officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter at the time of death. The parent's or spouse's service and rating shall be evidenced by certification from the records of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate local law enforcement agency, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes.

In the absence of certification of permanent and total disability by the Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims, the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate local law enforcement agency, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes, medical evidence showing permanent and total disability or the existence of permanent and total disability for a period of at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to death may be accepted, if this evidence is signed by a physician licensed to practice or an official of an accredited medical hospital.

The parent-child relationship shall be shown by birth certificate, legal adoption papers, or other documentary evidence. The spousal relationship shall be shown by a marriage certificate or other documentary evidence.

To entitle a spouse or child to benefits under this section the disabled law enforcement officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter shall have been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky upon becoming a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter.

The parent-child relationship shall be shown by birth certificate, legal adoption papers, or other documentary evidence. The spousal relationship shall be shown by a marriage certificate or other documentary evidence.

The marriage of an eligible child shall not serve to deny full entitlement to the benefits provided in this section.

Download the application.

Effective: July 15, 2010

Award & Notification
Free tuition at state-supported school for survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter permanently and totally disabled in line of duty -- Free tuition at state-supported school for survivor of other state-administered retirement system participants disabled as a result of duty-related injury.

Disbursement
If one so admitted to a state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution under the provisions of this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of his attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.

Renewal
Entitlement will expire with completion of 36 months of education, reached age 23, or if diploma or certificate of completion is obtained from a state support college, university or vocational school, whichever comes first.

Contact Information
Western Kentucky University Office of Veterans Affairs
Attn: Lindsey Brown
Potter Hall 323
1906 College Heights Blvd.,
Bowling Green, KY 42101

Phone: (270) 745-3732

 
 

Eligibility and Application
The parent-child relationship shall be shown by birth certificate, adoption papers, or other documentary evidence. The spousal relationship shall be shown by a marriage certificate or other documentary evidence. The parent's or spouse's service and the cause of death shall be evidenced by certification from the records of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the appropriate city or county law enforcement agency which employed the deceased, the administrative agency for the fire department or fire protection district recognized for funding under KRS 95A.262, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid firefighters of all counties and cities of all classes.

Download the application.

Effective: June 26, 2007

Award & Notification
Free tuition at state-supported university, community college or vocational training institution for survivor of police officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter killed in line of duty -- Free tuition at state-supported school for survivor of other state-administered retirement system participants who died as a result o duty-related injury -- Limitation.

Disbursement
If one so admitted to a state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution under the provisions of this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of his attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.

Renewal
Eligible applicants are permitted to receive this benefit indefinitely.

Contact Information
Western Kentucky University Office of Veterans Affairs
Attn: Lindsey Brown
Potter Hall 323
1906 College Heights Blvd.,
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Phone: (270) 745-3732

 

Eligibility and Application
(1) A person shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fees upon admission to any state-supported university, junior college, or vocational training institution if the person's deceased parent or stepparent, or if the person's deceased spouse if the person has not remarried, was a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky upon joining the Kentucky National Guard or upon entering military service and:

(a) Was killed while serving in state active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training with the Kentucky National Guard, or while on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, during a national emergency, or wars declared by Congress, or actions of the United Nations, or was killed by hostile fire while on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States or the Kentucky National Guard; or

(b) Died as a result of a service-connected disability acquired while serving in state active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training with the Kentucky National Guard or Reserve Component, or while on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, during a national emergency, or wars declared by Congress, or actions of the United Nations.

(2) In order to obtain the benefits conferred by subsection (1), the parent-child relationship must be shown by birth certificate, adoption papers, marriage certificate, or other documentary evidence. A stepchild must have been a member of the veteran's household at the time of the veteran's death. The spousal relationship must be shown by a marriage certificate or other documentary evidence. The parent's or spouse's service and the cause of death must be evidenced by certification from the records of the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs or the Veterans Administration Records, or the Department of Defense of the United States.

Effective: July 14, 2000

Award & Notification
Exemption from matriculation or tuition fee of dependents, widow, or widower of members of the Armed Forces or of members of the National Guard killed while in service or having died as a result of service-connected disability.

Disbursement
In the event one so admitted to a state-supported university, junior college, or vocational training institution under the provisions of this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.

Renewal
Eligible applicants are permitted to receive this benefit indefinitely.

Contact Information
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
Attn: Tuition Waiver Coordinator
321 West Main St, Suite 390
Louisville, KY 40202

Phone: (502) 595-4447

Toll-Free (800) 928-4012

Visit the  Veterans website  to learn more.

Eligibility and Application
To be entitled to benefits under this section, the child claiming benefits must have acquired a disability determined by the United States Veterans Administration as compensable.

  • (a) The parent-child relationship must be shown by birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other documentary evidence.
  • (b) To entitle a child to benefit under this section the member of the National Guard or Reserve Component veteran living or deceased must have served on state active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training or the veteran must have served on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, and the discharge must have been under honorable conditions. The veteran must be a resident or, if deceased, must have been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Effective: July 15, 2002

Award & Notification
The child of a veteran, regardless of age, who has acquired a disability as a direct result of the veteran's service shall be eligible to receive a waiver of tuition upon admission to any state-supported university, college, or vocational training institute.

Disbursement
In the event one so admitted to a state-supported university, junior college, or vocational training institution under this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.

Renewal
The child claiming benefits must have acquired a disability determined by the United States Administration as compensable. Questions regarding renewal need to be referred to the KYDVA.

Contact Information
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
Attn: Tuition Waiver Coordinator
321 West Main St, Suite 390
Louisville, KY 40202

Phone: (502) 595-4447

Toll-Free (800) 928-4012

Visit the  Veterans website  to learn more. 

Eligibility and Application
To be entitled to benefits under this section the parent or stepparent of the child claiming benefits if living must be rated permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes or one hundred percent (100%) disabled for compensation purposes by the United States Veterans Administration or the Department of Defense. If the veteran is deceased, the claim to benefits is to be based on the rating held by the veteran at the time of death or if a prisoner of war or missing in action, must have been declared as such by the Department of Defense. Members of the Kentucky National Guard must be rated permanently and totally disabled as provided in KRS Chapter 342. The parent's, stepparent's, or spouse's service and rating must be evidenced by certification from the records of the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, Veterans Administration Records, or the Department of Defense of the United States.

  • (a) The parent-child relationship must be shown by birth certificate, legal adoption papers, marriage certificate, or other documentary evidence. A stepchild must be a member of the veteran's household. The spousal relationship must be shown by a marriage certificate or other documentary evidence.
  • (b) To entitle a spouse, child, stepchild, or orphan to benefit under this section the disabled member of the National Guard or Reserve Component veteran living or deceased must have served on state active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training or active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, and his discharge must have been under honorable conditions. He must be a resident or, if deceased, have been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
  • (c) The marriage of an eligible child, stepchild, or orphan, shall not serve to deny full entitlement to the benefits provided in this section.

Effective: June 26, 2007

Award & Notification
The spouse, regardless of age, and any child, stepchild, or orphan, under the age of twenty-six (26), of a permanently and totally disabled member of the Kentucky National Guard or Reserve Component injured while on state active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or a permanently and totally disabled war veteran, or a one hundred percent (100%) service-connected disabled veteran regardless of wartime service, or prisoner of war or member of the Armed Services declared missing in action shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fees upon his admission to any state-supported institution of higher education or to any state-supported vocational training school for a period not in excess of forty-five (45) months in order to obtain a diploma, nor in excess of the lesser number of months required for a certificate of completion.

Disbursement
In the event one so admitted to a state-supported university, junior college, or vocational training institution under this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.

Renewal
Entitlement will expire with the completion of 45 months of education, reached age 26, or if a diploma or certificate of completion is obtained from a state supported college, university or vocational school; whichever comes first. No age limit for spouses.

Contact Information
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
Attn: Tuition Waiver Coordinator
321 West Main St, Suite 390
Louisville, KY 40202

Phone: (502) 595-4447

Toll-Free (800) 928-4012

Visit the  Veterans website  to learn more.

Student Financial Assistance

317 Potter Hall
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd. #11018
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1018

Phone: 270-745-2755

Fax: 270-745-6586

Email: fa.help@wku.edu


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 Last Modified 8/18/22