Do Children of Disabled Veterans Get Free College?
The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. While children of disabled veterans may be eligible for certain benefits and scholarships, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. In this article, we will explore the various options available to children of disabled veterans and what they can expect in terms of financial aid for college.
What is the Montgomery GI Bill?
The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is a program that provides education benefits to eligible veterans and their dependents. The MGIB was created in 1984 and is named after Senator Pat Montgomery, who sponsored the legislation. The program is designed to help veterans and their dependents pay for college or vocational training.
Eligibility for the Montgomery GI Bill
To be eligible for the MGIB, a veteran must have served at least two years of active duty and have been discharged or released from service under honorable conditions. Dependents of disabled veterans may also be eligible for the MGIB, but the eligibility requirements are more stringent.
Benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill
The MGIB provides a monthly stipend to eligible veterans and dependents to help pay for college or vocational training. The stipend amount varies depending on the type of program and the number of credits being taken. For example:
- Full-time students: $1,500 per month
- Three-quarter time students: $1,125 per month
- Half-time students: $750 per month
Dependent Benefits
Dependents of disabled veterans may be eligible for the MGIB, but the eligibility requirements are more stringent. To be eligible, a dependent must:
- Be the child of a veteran who has a service-connected disability rating of 30% or higher
- Be enrolled in a college or vocational training program
- Be pursuing a degree or certificate
- Be taking at least half-time credits
Other Benefits for Children of Disabled Veterans
In addition to the MGIB, there are several other benefits and scholarships available to children of disabled veterans. Some of these benefits include:
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): A tax-free benefit paid to the surviving spouse and children of a veteran who died as a result of their service-connected disability.
- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA): A program that provides education benefits to the dependents of veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled as a result of their service.
- Scholarships: Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for children of disabled veterans. Some of these scholarships include:
- The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Scholarship: A scholarship program that provides up to $5,000 per year to children of disabled veterans.
- The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Scholarship: A scholarship program that provides up to $5,000 per year to children of disabled veterans.
- The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Scholarship: A scholarship program that provides up to $5,000 per year to children of disabled veterans.
Table: Benefits for Children of Disabled Veterans
| Benefit | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery GI Bill | Dependent of disabled veteran | $1,500 – $750 per month |
| Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) | Surviving spouse and children of veteran who died as a result of service-connected disability | Tax-free benefit |
| Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) | Dependent of veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as a result of service | Education benefits |
| DAV Scholarship | Child of disabled veteran | Up to $5,000 per year |
| VFW Scholarship | Child of disabled veteran | Up to $5,000 per year |
| MOPH Scholarship | Child of disabled veteran | Up to $5,000 per year |
Conclusion
While children of disabled veterans may not get free college, there are several benefits and scholarships available to help them pay for their education. The Montgomery GI Bill, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance are just a few of the benefits available to children of disabled veterans. Additionally, there are several scholarships available specifically for children of disabled veterans. By exploring these options, children of disabled veterans can help make their college dreams a reality.
Additional Resources
- Department of Veterans Affairs: www.va.gov
- Montgomery GI Bill: www.va.gov/education/mgib/
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: www.va.gov/pension/dependency-and-indemnity-compensation/
- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance: www.va.gov/education/survivors-benefits/
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Scholarship: www.dav.org/scholarship/
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Scholarship: www.vfw.org/community/scholarships/
- Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Scholarship: www.purpleheart.org/scholarships/
