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Education Benefits for Surviving Family Members

Benefit overview

Surviving military spouses and children may be eligible for certain education benefits. If you or your children are interested in pursuing higher education, there are several scholarship options and Veterans Affairs benefits. Both private and federal programs offer financial assistance.

How this benefit helps

Nothing can take the place of your loved one in your heart, but pursuing your education dreams can be a way to honor their legacy. There are numerous resources available that can connect you or your children to education benefits. Visit the sites below for updated deadlines, information on eligibility and to learn how you can apply.

How to access this benefit

Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits

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Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program

If you are a surviving military spouse, you are eligible for education benefits for up to 20 years after the date of your spouse’s death. Surviving children are also eligible to use their education benefits, but typically only if they are ages 18 to 26.

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Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

Children or spouses of those who died in service to our nation on or after Sept. 11, 2001, are potentially eligible to receive the Fry Scholarship, which can provide up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level.

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Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Did your spouse or parents transfer any months of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits before their death? If unused months were transferred to a surviving child, they can also benefit if they have a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate) or are at least 18 years of age.

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Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

Veterans and Fry Scholars who have or will soon exhaust their benefits and are currently enrolled in a STEM degree program or are seeking teacher certification, are eligible to receive the Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship. Family members who received a transferred entitlement are not eligible for additional educational assistance under the STEM Scholarship.

Scholarship opportunities from private organizations

  • Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. The goal of the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation is to ensure that no child of a deceased service member pays out of pocket or needs a loan to pay for college.
  • Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship. The Fisher House Foundation established the Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship for the children of service members who have died or become disabled through their active-duty service since Sept. 11, 2001.
  • American Legion Legacy Scholarship. The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is for children of military members who have died while on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001.
  • Scholarships for Military Children Program. The Defense Commissary Agency runs the Scholarships for Military Children Program, funded by the manufacturers and suppliers of commissary goods. The organization aims to award at least one scholarship each year to every commissary worldwide that receives qualified applications.
  • Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides or identifies funding for educational programs for children who have a parent who died serving in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy or Department of the Air Force special operations.
  • Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, also known as TAPS, connects survivors of military deaths to available education benefits.

Service-specific scholarships and aid

Each military service and related organization offers financial assistance to family members in need, and many have scholarship options. Check out your branch of service for more information.

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