Vietnam Veteran Survivor Grant Program

Up to 12 grants are available annually to children and spouses of Vietnam veterans who served between 1961 and 1972 and whose deaths were attributed to, or caused by, exposure to toxic chemicals during the Vietnam conflict.  The veteran must have been a Missouri resident when first entering the military service and at the time of death.

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible as an initial or renewal student, you must:

• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full time (12 credit hours) undergraduate student at a participating Missouri postsecondary school.  Students with disabilities may be considered full-time when enrolled in at least six credit hours.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school.
• Be a United States citizen or permanent resident.
• Not be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity.
• Not have received a bachelor's degree, completed 150 semester credit hours, or received the award for 10 semesters, whichever occurs first.

If you are a dependent child, you will remain eligible through the semester in which you turn 25 if you have not already reached the limitations described in the last bullet above.

If you are a spouse, you will remain eligible through the semester in which the fifth anniversary of the veteran's death occurs if you have not already reached the limitations described in the last bullet above.

How much can I receive?

Your maximum semester grant amount will be the lesser of the following:

• Actual tuition charged for 12 credit hours at the school in which you are enrolled full time OR
• Average amount of tuition charged for 12 credit hours to an undergraduate Missouri resident enrolled full time in the same class level and in the same academic major at the Missouri public four-year, regional institutions.

If you transfer to a different school, your award amount may change based on the tuition at the school to which you transfer.

Awards are provided based on funding availability with renewal students and students with the earliest application received dates having priority.  Historically, there has been enough funding to pay all eligible applicants.

Awards are not available during summer terms.

How can I apply?

Download the Vietnam Veteran Survivor Grant Program Application here, or contact the MDHE.

There is no application deadline; however, early submission of the completed application is encouraged.

If you are applying for an initial grant, you must provide qualified certification from a Missouri state veterans service officer to verify that toxic chemical exposure contributed to, or was the cause of, the veteran's death.

If you are a renewal recipient, you must submit an application annually. However, the qualified certification is not required after the initial application. 

The school you are enrolled in or attending must complete Section III of the application whether you are an initial or renewal applicant.

How will I know if I am eligible?

The MDHE will provide notice to students of eligibility. The institution you are attending determines final eligibility at the time the grant funds are requested each semester.

How will I receive my award?

At the beginning of each semester your school will certify that you are enrolled full time and meet the other eligibility requirements.  The certification process will typically take about three weeks.  If your school verifies you are eligible, the MDHE will send your award to your school and they will deliver it to you.  Generally, you should receive your fall payment by mid-September and your spring payment by mid-February.

How do I renew my award?

The MDHE sends applications to renewal students in late spring or early summer each year.  You can also download the application (see How can I apply? above) or contact the MDHE for an application at (800) 473-6757, option 4.

How do I transfer my award?

You may transfer your eligibility to any participating school. If you choose to transfer to a different participating Missouri institution between semesters, you must complete another application.