A notable increase in applications from college-age children of post-9/11 veterans has led Pennsylvania to enhance funding for its long-standing tuition assistance program. The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) reported that the Educational Gratuity Program experienced a significant funding increase in the 2025–26 budget, reflecting a doubling in applications over the past two years. This surge is primarily attributed to children of veterans from the Global War on Terror, who are now reaching college age.
The Educational Gratuity Program provides vital tuition assistance to children of honorably discharged wartime veterans who are totally and permanently disabled due to service-related injuries, as well as to children of service members who have died during periods of war or armed conflict. Data from the DMVA indicates that applications rose from 195 to 390 in just two years, marking a remarkable 100 percent increase.
Officials anticipate that this trend will continue, as more families affected by the two-decade-long conflict seek higher education opportunities. The state budget, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro in November 2023, increased program funding from $320,000 to $350,000. This adjustment aims to accommodate current applicants while preparing for continued growth in demand.
Commitment to Veterans’ Families
Maj. Gen. John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA, emphasized the importance of educational support for veterans’ children. He stated, “As a new generation of students becomes eligible for educational support, we are reminded that our commitment to veterans and their families must endure long after the battles have ended.” Pippy highlighted that access to higher education represents a significant way to honor military sacrifices and invest in the future of veterans’ families.
The Global War on Terror stands as the longest conflict in U.S. history, surpassing the combined durations of World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. State officials note that the lasting effects of this conflict are now being felt in educational systems across Pennsylvania as children of veterans come of age.
Under the Educational Gratuity Program, eligible students aged between 16 and 23 can receive up to $4,000 in total tuition assistance, distributed as $500 per semester over eight terms. To qualify, applicants must have resided in Pennsylvania for at least five years prior to applying, attend an institution within the Commonwealth, and demonstrate financial need.
The program is administered through county veterans affairs offices, where eligible families can initiate the application process at no cost. State officials have stated that the funding increase is designed to ensure the program remains responsive to the rising demand, reinforcing Pennsylvania’s long-term commitment to supporting veterans and their families.
As the educational landscape evolves, this increased funding represents a crucial step in providing necessary support to those who have served. For ongoing updates regarding local news in Chester County and surrounding areas, residents are encouraged to follow MyChesCo on platforms like Google News and MSN.
