ANNEVILLE — As the school year approaches, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wants eligible veterans with children to know that financial assistance is available to those attending post-high school education or training at an approved institution in the commonwealth through its Educational Gratuity Program.
“Every veteran has sacrificed in service to our nation, but some have sacrificed on a different level. This program is one way to show our gratitude while keeping our commitment of caring for their families,” said Brig. Gen. (PA) Maureen Weigl, deputy adjutant general of Veterans Affairs. “Eligible veterans whose children are planning to attend college or trade school after high school should not hesitate to apply for assistance through the Educational Gratuity Program.”
The program supports children of honorably discharged veterans who have 100% service-connected disabilities and served during a period of war or armed conflict, or children of veterans who die or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict.
To be eligible, a child of a veteran must be between the ages of 16 and 23, living within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for five years prior to application and must attend a school within the commonwealth. All applicants must have a financial need.
Payments will not exceed $500 per term or semester per qualified child to each approved educational institution over a total of eight terms or semesters.
To apply, contact the County Veterans Affairs Director in the county of residence:
For those in McKean County, contact Alvin Loveless at (814) 887-3241, (814) 887-3101, or via email adloveless@mckeancountypa.org: For Potter County, contact Michael Pepper at (814) 274-8290 ext. 210, (814) 260-0047, or via email mpepper@pottercountypa.net; For Elk County, contact Leslie Neal at (814) 776-5370, (814) 776-5359, or via email lneal@countyofelkpa.com.
For more information about the program’s criteria, eligibility and needed documentation, go to the Educational Gratuity Program on the DMVA website at www.dmva.pa.gov . Learn more about the DMVA by following them at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.
