VA Education Benefits for Children
Children of veterans qualify for education benefits under various programs sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility for each program depends on the type and length of service of the veteran. Applying for benefits directly with the VA is the best way to determine which benefits apply to children of veterans.
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GI Bill Benefits Transfer
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The VA allows veterans to transfer all or any unused benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to their children as of August 1, 2009. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides a maximum of 36 months of monthly education benefits as of March 2009. Education benefits apply equally to children of enlisted personnel or officers who serve in the military at least 10 years. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays tuition directly to the college, university or training program the child attends. The program also pays stipends for housing and books directly to eligible children even if the sponsoring veteran parent is on active duty.
John David Fry Scholarship
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The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship is a part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which aims to include children of deceased service members whose death occurs after September 10, 2011, while carrying out military duties. As of August 1, 2009, the scholarship program pays the tuition of eligible children along with a monthly allowance and a stipend to help cover the cost of books and supplies. The program provides a maximum of 36 months of benefits and the eligible child has 15 years in which to use benefits after turning 18 years of age but under 33 years of age.
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Yellow Ribbon Program
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The Yellow Ribbon program supplements the tuition benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill in situations where the GI Bill does not cover the entire cost of tuition. According to the VA, the Post-9/11 GI Bill limits tuition payments to the most expensive public university in the state in which the child of a veteran attends school or vocational program. The program is open to children who receive transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits from a veteran parent and only if the veteran parent qualifies for 100 percent of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
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Children of veterans may also be eligible for VA education benefits under the Dependents' Educational Assistance program. According to the VA, the program pays a maximum of 45 months of education benefits to help pay for apprenticeships, certificate programs or to pursue a degree program at an institution of higher learning. Eligibility is limited to children whose veteran parent is completely disabled as a result of military service or dies as a consequence of the disability. Eligibility for the program also includes children of missing or captured service members. However, only children between the ages of 18 and 26 are eligible for assistance under this program.
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References
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Transfer of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits to Dependents
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Benefits of the Yellow Ribbon Program
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
