Educational Benefits for Spouses and Dependents of Veterans
Learn about Your Chapter 35 VA Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides education and training opportunities to eligible spouses and dependents of disabled and fallen service members through the Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program which provides an educational stipend through Chapter 35. To apply and get additional information see Veterans Educational Benefits.
Please follow these 'What's Next?' steps to register for classes.
PCC Tuition Waiver Program
If you do not receive the Chapter 35 stipend or other educational assistance, you may be eligible for a tuition waiver through Portland Community College. The tuition waiver is intended to provide you with the opportunity to earn a certificate or associates degree and will cover up to 135 credits or the desired degree or certificate (whichever comes first).
Eligibility
You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:
- A veteran who became permanently and totally disabled as a result of active service in the Armed Forces after the start of the first Gulf War (August 1990); or,
- A veteran who died while participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom or the Afghanistan Campaign or while deployed outside the United States in combat or combat support operations as part of the Global War on Terrorism (September 2001).
Additional Requirements and Restrictions
- Dependents must enroll by the age of 23.
- Spouses and dependents must be degree seeking with a declared major. Only college-level courses (100 or higher) that meet the degree requirements of the major are eligible for the waiver.
- Course fees or other expenses related to enrollment with PCC are not covered by the tuition waiver and must be paid by the payment due date each term.
- The waiver applies only to tuition charges not otherwise covered by Chapter 35 benefits, financial aid, scholarships, or third party sponsors.
- Enrollment is limited to space available in the course. Students who wish to guarantee a seat may pay the full tuition amount. This amount will not be refunded if seats subsequently become available in the course.
- The waiver benefit does not apply to developmental coursework or courses taken for personal or professional interest, including but not limited to, CED, CEU, ABE, GED, and ESOL.
Application
To apply for the Veterans Educational Benefit through PCC, please submit the application form with the following information to any campus business office:
- Proof of dependent status (DD Form 93)
- Proof of the death or total permanent disability of the Oregon service member resulting from active service (DD 214 or DD 215) *
- Proof of residency of the applicant within the Portland Community College service area, which includes Washington, Multnomah, Clackamas, Columbia and Yamhill counties.
This waiver offer will end not later than 21 years after the date of death or disability of the Oregon Service Member and is subject to review and cancellation by Portland Community College.