Veteran & Military Students

The Online Free Seat Program was created “to encourage veterans, active duty members of the United State Armed Forces, active drilling members of the Florida National Guard, and non-traditional students to enroll in an online baccalaureate program at a state university”.

Those that qualify will receive a waiver of tuition and applicable fees for one course during their first semester and a 25 percent discount against tuition/matriculation and tuition differential for all other courses up to 110 percent of the number of required hours within the online degree program. Fees will not be discounted.

Student Eligibility

• Be a Florida resident for tuition purposes;
• Not have previously earned a bachelor’s degree;
• Be enrolled in an online baccalaureate degree program as defined in the “Online Baccalaureate Program” section below;
• Meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
• Is a veteran as defined in s. 1.01(14), F.S.;
• Is an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces;
• Is an active drilling member of the Florida National Guard whose eligibility is validated by the service member’s unit Commander and/or the Commander’s designated representative serving as the Unit Point of Contact;
• Is a non-traditional student, defined for the purposes of this program as a student who has earned a Florida standard high school diploma, a high school diploma comparable to a Florida standard high school diploma, or its equivalent, or completed a home education program, and has been out of high school or home education program for at least 5 years. A non-traditional student must not have been enrolled in a postsecondary institution in the last 5 years.

Students who wish to be considered for the Online Free Seat program must submit a FSW Program application through MyUWF and be approved by their institution to participate in the program.

To remain eligible for the Online Free Seat Program, students must enroll at least part-time in the program during each academic year.

Active drilling members of the Florida National Guard must submit the  Verification of Active Drilling Status form. The form must be signed by the member’s Unit Commander and/or designated representative serving as the Unit Point of Contact (electronic signatures may be used, if needed). Such verification must be conducted each term in which the student is participating in the Online Free Seat Program.

Online Baccalaureate Program

1. For purposes of this program, online baccalaureate programs are those programs/majors included in the Board of Governors Online Program Inventory.

2. The Free Seat Program applies to online baccalaureate programs/majors funded by E&G and those that are self-supporting; both types of programs are identified as online programs and are included in the Board of Governors Online Program Inventory.

3. All courses that are waived or discounted must be a part of the online baccalaureate degree program in which the student is enrolled.

General Tuition Assistance Information

Service members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for the Tuition Assistance (TA) program which pays for civilian, voluntary higher education. Military tuition assistance information is available on the MVRC's Military TA page. 

Submitting Tuition Assistance Vouchers

Return completed and approved Tuition Assistance Vouchers to the MVRC before the end of regular registration (day before classes begin). You may submit TA vouchers by:

• Email: mvrcta@uwf.edu
• Fax: 850.474.2671, Attn: David Hirras
• Mail: University of West Florida
•          MVRC, Bldg. 38
•          Attn: David Hirras
•          11000 University Parkway
•          Pensacola, FL 32514
• In Person: MVRC, Bldg. 38

Withdrawals and Return of Military Tuition Assistance

As a participant in the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Program, the University of West Florida is required to return any unearned TA funds on a proportional basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. 

Unearned TA funds that are returned to the appropriate military branch of service will become a debt that the student owes the university. This amount will be placed on the student’s account and a hold will be placed on the student's account preventing registration, grades, and transcripts. If a student is eligible to receive a refund from the University for tuition and fees or other charges, the University will apply for the refund against the debt that results from the unearned TA.

Official Withdraw Date – The date the student officially withdrew from a course.

Unofficial Withdraw Date – Students who stop attending and receive NF grades, or a combination of NF, W, and I (Incomplete) grades, are considered to have unofficially withdrawn. UWF will use the last date of participation to determine if the service member completed at least 60% of the course.

Return of Unearned TA Official Withdrawal Calculation

The calculation for Return of Unearned TA is based on the percent of TA Earned using the following formula, which mirrors the Federal Return of Title IV funds formula:                                     

Percent of TA earned = Number of days completed ÷ Total number of days in the semester (excluding breaks of five days or more)

If greater than 60%, then 100% of the TA is earned and the return to the military service is zero.

If 60% or less, then funds are returned to the appropriate TA program based on the following formula:

Percent of TA earned x Total TA dollars received = Total TA dollars earned

Unearned TA to be returned = Total TA dollars received – Total TA dollars earned = Total unearned TA to be returned

Active Duty Out-of-State Waiver

Active duty members of the United States Armed Forces residing in or stationed outside of the state are eligible for a waiver of out-of-state fees. The student must submit a copy of their current orders and most recent LES with the completed waiver application. The waiver application is a one-time process provided the student remains continuously enrolled. Submit the Active Duty Out-of-State Waiver application through MyUWF.

Active Duty Temporary Residency

Active duty service members stationed at a military installation in Florida do not need to submit the Active Duty Out-of-State Waiver application. Qualifying service members, spouses, and dependents are eligible to receive temporary residency. Declare "military on orders" on the UWF admission application and provide a copy of the most recent Title 10 assignment orders.

Active drilling members of the Florida National Guard are also eligible for temporary residency.

Congressman C. W. “Bill” Young Veteran Out-of-State Waiver

Honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces, United States Reserve Forces, or National Guard physically residing in Florida while enrolled in the institution are eligible for a waiver of out-of-state fees. The veteran must submit a copy of the Department of Defense Form 214 (DD-214) and proof they physically reside in Florida. The waiver application is a one-time process provided the student remains continuously enrolled. Submit the Veteran Out-of-State Waiver application through MyUWF.

Dependents using VA education benefits are eligible for a waiver of out-of-state fees. The dependent must submit a copy of a recent Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and proof they physically reside in Florida. Dependents may only receive this waiver for semesters in which they use VA education benefits. The waiver application is a one-time process provided the student remains continuously enrolled. Submit the Veteran Dependent Out-of-State Waiver application through MyUWF.

Military Honor Waiver

Recipients of the Purple Heart or other combat decoration superior in precedence may receive a tuition and fees waiver. The student must be enrolled in an undergraduate program of study leading to a degree or certificate. The waiver is applicable for 110 percent of the required credit hours of the degree or certificate program for which the student is enrolled. The student must submit a copy of the Department of Defense form 214 (DD-214) as documentation that the student received the Purple Heart or other combat decoration superior in precedence. The student must have been a resident of Florida at the time of the award or currently reside in Florida, whose home of record at the time of the award was in another state. Submit the Military Honor Waiver application through MyUWF.

ROTC Waiver

Non-Florida residents enrolled in the UWF Air Force and Army ROTC programs are eligible to receive a waiver of out-of-state fees. The student must provide proof of current residence in Florida. ROTC staff will verify the student's enrollment in the program and an aerospace studies or military science course. Students must remain enrolled in a UWF ROTC program and an aerospace studies or military science course to be eligible for the waiver. Submit the Air Force or Army ROTC Out-of-State Waiver application each semester through MyUWF.

Deferral eligibility is granted to students receiving veterans’ education benefits from federal programs if benefits are delayed through circumstances beyond the student’s control.

Veterans and other eligible students receiving veterans' education benefits on active duty and under Chapters 30, 32, 33, 35, 1606, and 1607, U.S.C., are eligible for one deferment each academic term. A 90-day deferment may be issued for the fall and spring terms and a 30-day deferment may be issued for the summer and mini-terms. An additional deferment extension may be issued if there is a delay in the receipt of benefits provided the extension is requested prior to the deferment due date.

A veteran may request a deferment (promissory note) through the VA Enrollment Certification in MyUWF for the amount of tuition and fees. The MVRC will submit the approved promissory note to the Cashier's Office prior to the fee payment due date. Failure to request a deferment and/or make payment by the deferment due date will result in the assessment of a $100 late payment fee. Students who do not make payment or request a deferment may have their registration canceled. Students whose registration is canceled due to non-payment may appeal for reinstatement and will be assessed a $200 reinstatement fee. If a student has available financial aid, it will be used prior to the posting of the deferment to pay tuition and fees. 

The University reserves the right to deny deferments to students with delinquent balances.