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Education is an important decision that veterans make in or out of uniform. Veterans have a variety of education benefits that are available to them in the form of federal, state, and even private educational benefits. These benefits can be in the form of education programs, scholarships, or college funds. For many Veterans, starting the process of using their education benefits can be a source of frustration and confusion. To reduce the confusion, we have provided a comprehensive list of information below to help you learn more about education.
Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Applies to the Following:
How this Applies to the Nevada National Guard:
Veterans in Nevada have access to a variety of higher education programs to help them build successful careers. The state has a long history of providing educational opportunities to its veterans and currently offers numerous programs to help them transition from military to civilian life. To learn more about the institutions of learning available in the state visit the links provided in this section.
Each facility’s contact information is located under the List of Officials.
The links below will either provide information regarding schools in Nevada or contact information for a certifying official. The certifying official will be able to guide you on how to apply for your benefits or explain the requirements to attend specific programs a school has to offer:
Are you a veteran who wants to go back to school? The Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program is exactly what you’re looking for!
VUB provides veterans with resources to help them transition from military to civilian life, and to successfully pursue a college degree.
It provides assessments of veterans’ academic skills, counseling to help veterans identify their educational goals, and assistance in applying to college and obtaining financial aid. Additionally, VUB provides tutoring and workshops surrounding study skills, computer literacy, test preparation, and writing to refresh skills necessary for academic success. VUB also provides financial literacy workshops to help veterans understand their financial options and make sound financial decisions.
There are two Veterans Upward Bound programs in Nevada. One is located at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the other at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno.
To apply for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Veterans Upward Bound Program, click HERE
To apply for the Veterans Upward Bound Program at Truckee Meadows Community College, click HERE
The VUB was established in 1972 and is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
Eligible veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart for their service in the U.S. Armed Forces may be provided a waiver of certain fees related to registration. A student to whom the fee waiver is awarded shall be deemed a bona fide resident of Nevada for tuition purposes.
An NSHE institution shall waive registration, laboratory and other mandatory fees for eligible students pursuant to Title 4, Chapter 17, Section 14 of the Handbook. In order to request the waiver, a student veteran must complete and submit the NSHE Purple Heart Fee Waiver form to the appropriate office on their NSHE campus.
The child (or children) and spouse of a person who was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces permanently stationed in Nevada who has been identified as a prisoner of war or declared missing in action while performing duties as a member of the Armed Forces are eligible to register for courses without a registration fee (e.g. resident tuition), including certain laboratory fees (Title 4, Chapter 17, Section 12 of the Handbook and NRS 396.5445).
The child may use the waiver for ten years after he or she attains the age of 18 or, if he or she enrolls prior to age 18, for ten years after the date of enrollment.
The spouse may use this benefit for up to ten years from the date on which the member was identified as a prisoner of war or missing in action. (The programs associated with the William S. Boyd School of Law, the University of Nevada School of Medicine, and the UNLV School of Dental Medicine are not eligible for the waiver.)
Active members of the Nevada National Guard are eligible for a fee waiver that will permit such Guard members to register for courses without a registration fee (e.g. resident tuition) (Title 4, Chapter 17, Section 12 of the Handbook and NRS 396.544).
This waiver will also pay for laboratory fees associated with certain courses. (The programs associated with the William S. Boyd School of Law, the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, and the UNLV School of Dental Medicine are not eligible for the waiver.)
The child (or children) and spouse of a person who was killed while performing duties as a member of the Nevada National Guard are also eligible to register for courses without a registration fee (e.g. resident tuition), including certain laboratory fees (Title 4, Chapter 17, Section 12 of the Handbook and NRS 396.5442).
The child of a person who was killed while performing duties as a member of the Nevada National Guard may use the waiver for ten years after he or she attains the age of 18 or, if he or she enrolls prior to age 18, for ten years after the date of enrollment.
The spouse may use this benefit for up to ten years from member’s date of death. (The programs associated with the William S. Boyd School of Law, the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, and the UNLV School of Dental Medicine are not eligible for the waiver.)
You can receive your high school diploma through this special program.
In 2003, during the 72nd Session of the Nevada Legislature, Assembly Bill 52, Operation Recognition, was passed. This bill provides for Nevada School Districts to issue a standard high school diploma to certain veterans. To receive this high school diploma, a veteran must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States during WW II through the Vietnam Era, between the dates of September 16, 1940, and May 7, 1975. A veteran, a guardian of a disabled veteran, or a member of a deceased veteran’s family, on behalf of the deceased veteran, may submit an application.
Please download the Operation Recognition document. In it, you will find the requirements to qualify and the instructions for submission to the Nevada Office of Veterans Services.
Get GI Bill® and other education benefits
Learn how the GI Bill works and explore your options to pay for school or training.
Find out if you’re eligible for GI Bill or other VA education benefits.
Learn how to prepare and apply for the GI Bill or other VA education and training benefits.
Find out when to expect a decision from us on your application and what to do next.
Check if you qualify for help exploring employment options, any training you may need, and other vocational rehabilitation services.
Find out how to get free educational and career counseling if you are leaving active service soon, have been discharged within the past year, or are a Veteran or dependent who is eligible for VA education benefits.
Find out if you’re eligible for Veteran dependent or survivor education benefits through a GI Bill program.
Find out if you’re eligible for programs that provide added GI Bill benefits. If you’re not eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, learn about other VA education benefit programs for Veterans and National Guard or Reserve members.
AFCEA Educational Foundation Afghanistan and Iraq War Veterans Scholarship: Scholarships of $2,500 are offered to active-duty and honorably discharged U.S. military veterans and reservists and National Guard personnel of the Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan or Iraqi Freedom Operations. Candidates must be actively pursuing an undergraduate degree in an eligible major at accredited two- or four-year institutions in the United States. Distance-learning or online programs affiliated with a major U.S. institution are eligible.
Allied Van Lines Scholarship: Annually, 2 recipients will be awarded $1,000 towards their education. Any servicemen, veteran, or military dependent majoring in logistics, as well as equivalent majors such as business, business operational management, and other like majors can apply for this scholarship.
Army Women’s Foundation: The Foundation’s Legacy Scholarship program recognizes the importance of education and helping recipients to achieve their educational goals. The Legacy Scholarship program offers financial support to Army women and their lineal descendants in four areas: Technical Certificate programs, Community College coursework, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees.
Approved Schools: A non-profit education group and website that helps active duty and military veterans find approved schools so they can use their military education funding at a quality school. We partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project and have a lot of new scholarships that can be presented to as many people as possible.
ASU Veterans Education Fund: Through the gifts of anonymous donors, the ASU Veterans Education Fund was established to offer multiple scholarships. The contributors are devoted to the success of veterans nationally and at Arizona State University. Awards will be based on a student’s financial need, level of effort and the potential to complete his or her program of study.
Medical Financial Aid opportunities: ACLS Medical Training has compiled a list of various scholarship and financial aid opportunities to help in paying for healthcare education.
Search for Scholarships: While looking for money for school many service members, veterans, and their families tend to overlook more than $300 million of military — and veteran — related scholarships and grants. These scholarships often go unclaimed. Don't let “scholarship mythology" stop you from applying for education money. Find millions of dollars in scholarships and grants exclusively for the military community!
North American Van Lines Scholarship: Any serviceman, veteran, or military dependent majoring in logistics, business, or management can apply for this scholarship. This scholarship will award 2 students with $1,000 to the school of their choice.
The Purple Heart Scholarship: The Purple Heart Scholarship is available to the recipient of a Purple Heart; a direct descendant of a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart or of a veteran killed in action or who died of wounds; or a spouse or widow(er) of a recipient of the Purple Heart.
VA Mortgage Center Scholarship: Strives to enhance lives by recognizing the selfless contributions of service members and their families through support of such individuals in need. Despite the aid of benefits like the GI Bill, the ever-increasing expense of a post-secondary degree is one of the greatest challenges facing so many of our nation's finest, and in an effort to address this need, Veterans United Foundation has established the Veterans United Foundation Scholarship program.
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFW and Sport Clips Haircuts have again partnered to help our veterans and their families. The VFW “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship" program will provide service members and veterans with the financial assistance they need to help complete their educational goals without incurring excessive student loan debt. It's just another way to say “thank you" to those who deserve it the most! Visit the site to learn more or contact your local VFW.
Nevada Purple Star Schools is an initiative that recognizes public and charter schools in the state of Nevada for their commitment to serving military-connected students. The program is part of the Nevada Department of Education's Military Student Achievement Initiatives and is designed to help ensure that military-connected students have access to the best educational opportunities available.
Purple Star Schools must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for designation. Schools must demonstrate a comprehensive commitment to military-connected students in six areas: community engagement, academic excellence, support for student transitions, family engagement, school counseling, and outreach. Schools must also have a designated point of contact for military students and families and must have a clearly articulated plan for serving this population.
Schools with the Purple Star School Designation
2022 Honorees
2022 Purple Star School Districts
2021 Honorees
Public School District Superintendents
Public School Directory and Status of Schools
Nevada School Districts Websites
Nevada Charter School Websites
Information about Education Options
Over the past few decades, charter schools have become an increasingly popular choice for parents looking for quality education for their children. Nevada is no exception, with charter schools now accounting for nearly one-third of the state’s public-school enrollment.
Charter schools are publicly funded and tuition-free but operate independently from traditional public schools. This means that charters are able to experiment with different approaches to teaching and learning, giving students more choice and flexibility in their education. Charters also tend to be smaller than traditional public schools, allowing teachers to give more individual attention to their students.
Overall, charter schools in Nevada are providing parents with a valuable alternative to traditional public schools. The increased access to educational opportunities, variety of educational options, and flexibility of learning environments are just a few of the reasons why more and more parents are choosing charter schools for their children.
To find a charter school best for your student(s), you can review the map linked below of charter schools for the area you’re interested in. On the map, select a school to take a closer look at. You can also review this list of SPCSA Sponsored Charter Schools with links to charter schools in your area.
The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) is an executive state agency that works to provide comprehensive pre-K-12 programs and support. NDE develops and implements education policy, conducts educator licensure, and supports students, families, schools, educators, and districts via programmatic and technical support. This work supports our mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence.For more information about our divisions and offices, including a breakdown of the expertise and programs each office supports, please see the NDE Directory.
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