Financing Your Education

Whether you’re a prospective student or close to graduating, we want to make sure you have the cost and aid information you need to make your education possible. We’re here to show you all that Southern Connecticut State University has to offer in terms of financial information.

Tuition and fees are established by the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities Board of Regents for Higher Education.

To be considered full time, graduate students must be registered for at least 9 credits per semester. Doctoral students are only considered part-time, regardless of the credit load.

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships assists students with how to apply for financial aid and understand the types of aid.

Southern Connecticut State University has made financial literacy a priority by helping students pay for college and manage their finances. Students learn payment plan options as well as financial aid and scholarship opportunities through one-on-one advising, presentations, and resources for college and beyond. Meeting topics range from paying for college to establishing a credit history, loan debt and repayment, education tax credits, budgeting basics and support for investing.

We are committed to the financial well-being for all Southern students.

Graduate students from Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania now have the opportunity to enroll at Southern for all academic programs, at the Connecticut resident tuition rate plus 50 percent. Compare NEBHE vs. out-of-State tuition costs and see which programs apply.

Effective for the fall 2025 admission cycle, NEBHE rates will be extended to Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington DC.

On the veterans affairs website, scroll down to the blue button labeled “Apply For Education Benefits.”

If you have already used your GI bill benefits at another institution you will need to complete VA form 22-1995 if you are the veteran or if you are using GI bill benefits that were transferred to you. Dependents and survivors should complete VA form 22-5495 if using DEA or Fry Scholarship. Both forms can be found here:

Once you have been accepted to SCSU please complete the Veteran Benefit Application linked below and send it, or bring it and any other applicable documents to the Veterans Center in Engleman A014.

Depending on the benefits you are using we may need any or all of the following documents:

• DD214 Member 4 (or member 2)
• COE (Certificate of eligibility for your GI bill)
• NOBE

Please send in all documents together with your Veteran Benefit application once you have been accepted. 

You can also bring all of your documents to the Veterans Center in Engleman Hall A 014 or email them to conroyb1@southernct.edu or santacrocek2@southernct.edu.

If you have exhausted your GI bill benefits or do not qualify for GI bill benefits you may qualify for one of the following:

• CT Veterans Tuition Waiver
• National Guard Tuition Waiver – Active members of the CT Air or Army National Guard should request the tuition waiver from their unit education officer.
• Army Tuition Assistance – eligible service members can apply for TA
• Navy Tuition Assistance – eligible service members can apply for TA
• Marine Corps Tuition Assistance – eligible service members can apply for TA
• Air Force Tuition Assistance – eligible service members can apply for TA

For questions about your GI bill payment or to find out your remaining benefit entitlement, please call the VA Education Line at 1-888-442-4551 or to check on your Post 9/11 GI bill benefits online; if you are the service member.

Click the button below to check on VA payment history for VA Education and Disability payments, Pension, Survivor Pension, DEA/CH 35 or, DIC Pension payments.

For the purpose of granting a tuition waiver, a veteran is anyone who served on active duty in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Air Force and has been released from active duty. Pursuant to Public Law 18-47, effective October 01, 2018, the CT Veterans Tuition Waiver is extended to certain veterans with “Other than Honorable” discharge. The individual applying for the waiver must submit a completed CT DVA OTH Form 1 along with all other required documentation. Individuals with a “Bad Conduct” or “Dishonorable” discharge are not eligible for the waiverEligibility for the GI Bill® is not a determining factor in granting a tuition waiver. You must be matriculated but you may be full time or part time to receive the CT State Veterans Tuition Waiver. Also, the CT State Veterans Tuition Waiver covers 100% tuition during the fall and spring semesters and 50% of course fees during Wintersession, Spring Break and Summer semesters.

The tuition waiver does not apply to fees or other costs.

To be eligible for the waiver a veteran must be a Connecticut resident, matriculated and have served during the following periods.

Active duty for at least 90 days during

• World War II ( 12/7/41-12/31/46)
• Korean Hostilities (6/27/50-1/31/55)
• Vietnam Era (12/22/61-7/1/75; (any child of a Vietnam-era veteran who has been declared a MIA/POW also is eligible provided the parent entered the service after 1/1/60)
• Persian Gulf Wars (8/1/90 to present) Includes Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Somalia and Bosnia

Engaged in combat or in a combat-support role (DD214 must indicate an Expeditionary Medal)

• Lebanon (7/1/58-11/1/58 and 9/29/82-3/30/84)
• Grenada Invasion (10/25/83-12/15/83)
• Operation Earnest Will (Escort of Kuwaiti oil tankers in Persian Gulf) (7/24/87-8/1/90)
• Panama Invasion (12/20/89-1/31/90)

Persons who served during any other periods are not eligible for a tuition waiver. National Guard or Reserve  “active duty for training ” is not considered active duty . The DD214 must state: ACTIVE DUTY.  To determine eligibility, bring your DD214 to the Veterans’ Office at Engleman Hall, Room A 014.

Any Connecticut resident who is a dependent child or a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces killed in action on or after 9/11/2001 who was a Connecticut resident is eligible for the tuition waiver.

Members of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard and enrolled as full-time or part-time/matriculated, undergraduate or graduate students are eligible for a tuition waiver. The tuition waiver does not apply to other costs and fees, such as student activity fees and laboratory fees. It covers tuition only.

Army National Guard Tuition Waivers should be requested through the student’s unit readiness NCO. This paperwork is submitted to the student’s chain of command. The waiver is emailed directly to SCSU once approved by the National Guard Education Office in Hartford. The student is not sent their waiver directly. This process can take about a month and must be completed each semester. Air Force National Guard waivers are requested through the student’s unit education officer each semester. Typically, these waivers are given to the student directly and students are required to provide the waiver to the Veteran Coordinator or School Certifying Official (SCO).

Tuition Assistance and Tuition Assistance Top-Up is available for active duty, National Guard, and Reservists. For more information, contact Britt Conroy at (203) 392-6822.

GI Bill® programs help veterans and dependents pay for colleges and universities. GI Bill® payments are tax-free.