You asked what tution waivers the state provides veterans and under what circumstances. You are particularly interested in the CSU and UConn.

The law requires the University of Connecticut, the Connecticut State University (CSU) System, and the Community-Technical College System to waive tuition for honorably discharged active-service, wartime veterans (1) accepted for admission to the institutions and (2) residing in Connecticut at the time of acceptance (CGS §§ 10a-77(d), -99(d), and -105(e)).

Under CSU’s policies, according to the legislative liaison, simply taking a few courses without applying to and being accepted into the institution does not satisfy the law’s requirement that the student be accepted for admission to the institution. The student must be enrolled in a degree program to be eligible for the waiver. We are awaiting a response from UConn, but we believe its interpretation is similar to CSU’s interpretation. (OLR Report 94-R-0291 describes the legislative history of the provision. )

Wartime service means at least 90 days service as a member of the U. S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Air Force or the armed forces of any government associated with the United States during a “time of war,” unless the veteran was separated earlier because of a Veterans’ Administration-rated service-connected disability or served the entire duration of a war or operation that lasted less than 90 days.

Table 1 shows the operations occurring since 1940 that qualify as wartime service under Connecticut law. This includes any time served since August 2, 1990 (CGS § 27-103 as amemded by PA 03-85). To get the waiver, the veteran must submit a copy of his separation from service document (DD 214) and honorable discharge certificate (DD 256). If the veteran was separated from service early because of a service-connected disability, he must provide documentation of this.  

* Service must be in a combat or combat support role

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