If you are a dependent or spouse of a Florida veteran, the costs of higher education can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, the State of Florida offers a robust program designed specifically to support the families of those who have sacrificed for the country.
The Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) is a state-sponsored initiative that provides vital financial assistance for higher education.
What is the Florida CSDDV?
The CSDDV program provides funding to dependent children and unremarried spouses of qualified Florida veterans. This scholarship covers tuition and registration fees at eligible public and participating private institutions in Florida, helping families bridge the financial gap and making a college degree or technical certificate much more accessible.
Who is Eligible for the CSDDV Scholarship?
Eligibility for the CSDDV scholarship relies on specific criteria for both the veteran and the dependent or spouse applying for the funds.
Veteran Requirements
To qualify the family for this benefit, the veteran must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Have Florida listed as their official home of record in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) immediately preceding their time of death, their determination of 100% permanent and total disability, or their POW/MIA classification.
- Have met at least one of the following service conditions:
- Died from a service-connected disability sustained while on active duty.
- Received a 100% permanent and total disability rating from the VA.
- Been classified as a Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA).
Dependent Child Requirements
If you are applying as a child of a qualifying veteran, you must:
- Be between the ages of 16 and 22.
- Establish initial eligibility before your 23rd birthday.
- Be a dependent child (biological, adopted, or stepchild) of the qualified veteran.
- Be listed with the VA as a dependent child.
Spouse Requirements
If you are applying as the spouse of a qualifying veteran, you must:
- Be unremarried (if the veteran is deceased).
- Apply for the scholarship within five years of the veteran’s passing.
- Note that for spouses of living, 100% disabled veterans, the scholarship funding is only valid for the duration of the marriage.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The CSDDV scholarship is highly valuable. It pays for tuition and registration fees at eligible Florida Department of Education participating institutions.
A major perk of this program is its longevity. An eligible student may receive funding for up to 110% of the required credit hours needed to complete an initial bachelor’s degree or certificate program. This built-in buffer allows students a little flexibility if they need to change majors or retake a class.
Maintaining Your CSDDV Scholarship
Once you are awarded the scholarship, you must meet specific academic standards to keep your funding active in subsequent semesters:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Earn at least six credit hours (or 180 clock hours) per term for which the award was received.
How to Apply for the CSDDV Program
Getting started requires a bit of preparation and coordination with the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) and the Florida Department of Education.
- Gather Documentation: Ensure you have the veteran’s DD214, the VA permanent and total disability award letter (if applicable), and proof of Florida residency.
- Submit the Initial Application: You will need to complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA).
- Mind the Deadlines: Applications must typically be submitted with all veteran-related questions answered by April 1 of the application year. This deadline allows the FDVA ample time to certify the veteran’s qualifying status.
- Speak with Financial Aid: Reach out to the financial aid office at your chosen college or university. They can guide you through any school-specific steps required to process state waivers and scholarships.
The CSDDV program is a fantastic resource that honors the service of Florida’s veterans by investing in the futures of their loved ones. If you believe you qualify, do not hesitate to start the application process early to secure your educational funding. For more specific details and official applications, you can always visit the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance website.
