First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act
The First Responder Certificate of Verification & Authorization for Release of Information document is now available for submission using the
Once you receive email confirmation of your submission, please do not submit another FRVA document as it will delay the review of your initial FRVA submission. DOR will review your submission and contact you if additional information is needed. The e-mail confirmation lets you know that DOR received your filing, please do not contact DOR for a status update as all files will be reviewed in the order received. If the Form FRVA has been properly completed and all required documentation has been received, please allow 10 business days for DOR to complete the review of your Form FRVA.
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 85-2601 to 85-2608
*LB 727 (Sections 107 through 113, Operative date September 2, 2023)
The Act expands the resident tuition waiver for law enforcement officers to include professional firefighters and legal dependents (dependent). The tuition waiver (waiver) includes tuition to the University of Nebraska, state colleges in the Nebraska state college system (Chadron State College, Peru State College, and Wayne State College) and community colleges located within the State of Nebraska (collectively, educational institution). The waiver is 100% of resident tuition charges after financial aid for pursuing an associate or baccalaureate degree program that relates to their career. A dependent of a law enforcement officer or professional firefighter is not required to pursue studies that lead to a specific career.
*Changes to the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act (LB 1317 – Sections 97 through 103, July 19, 2024)
LB 1317 expands the eligibility for tuition waivers under the Act by removing the definition of law enforcement agency from the Act and using the definition of law enforcement officer in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-1401. It also expanded the meaning of professional firefighter to include a member of a paid fire department within Nebraska that provides fire protection to state military installations as an entity qualifying as a fire department.
LB 1317 adds a definition of legal dependent which has the same meaning as used in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and adds an eligibility requirement to complete the FAFSA. The requirement that a professional firefighter be pursuing a degree in science or medicine has been removed.
LB 1317 adds a provision for the eligible legal dependent to qualify for the tuition waiver directly with the educational institution in the event of death in the line of duty of the officer or firefighter.
If you do not plan to submit the Form FRVA in the future, complete Form FRVA-N
