With the cost of college at an all-time high, incoming students should seek out every opportunity to save money. If one or both of your parents served in the military, you may consider applying for financial assistance programs designed to help the children of veterans.

1. The Army Scholarship Foundation

Army Scholarship Foundation scholarships average $1,000 and are awarded on an annual basis. Scholarships are available for undergraduate students attending an accredited college.

To be eligible for this award, students must have a parent who is an active member or veteran of the military. They must have at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA), not already have a bachelor’s degree, and be under the age of 24 at the time of the application deadline.

2. Kids of the Coast Guard

Children who have an active, reserve, or retired Coast Guard parent are eligible for a scholarship through the Coast Guard Foundation. These scholarships range from $2,000 to $5,000. Over 150 scholarships were awarded in 2021.

Children with a parent who died while on Coast Guard service are eligible for a Fallen Heroes scholarship, which covers 100% of the attendance fee.

3. Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships for children who have a parent who is a member of the Marine Corps. There are two types of scholarships: the Children of the Fallen scholarship and the Children of the Wounded scholarship. The Children of the Fallen Scholarship pays $7,500 per year for four years, and Children of the Wounded pays between $1,500 and $10,000 per year for four years.

To be eligible for either scholarship, the child must have a 2.0 GPA and must attend one of the schools listed on the National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator website. The family must also have an adjusted gross income of $112,000 or less for the 2021 tax year.

4. Fisher House Foundation

The Fisher House Foundation provides 500 scholarships to military children each year, each worth $2,000. To be eligible, students must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program and have a 3.0 high school GPA or a 2.5 college GPA.

5. Wings over America

Children of Navy personnel in the Aviation Division are eligible for the Wings Over America Scholarship. The parent must have worked in this division for at least eight years and only undergraduates are eligible. The exact amount of the scholarship varies, but the average is $5,000.

Students can reapply for the multi-year scholarship, but renewal is not guaranteed. Funds can only be used to cover tuition fees.

6. Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society sponsors interest-free grants and loans for students with a Navy or Marine Corps parent.

To be eligible, students must be under the age of 23, demonstrate financial need, maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher, and enroll full-time at an accredited institution. Prices generally range from $500 to $3,000 each.

7. National Presidents Children of Warriors Scholarship

The American Legion Auxiliary offers scholarships to students whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents served in the United States Armed Forces during the following periods:

• Between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918
• Any time after December 7, 1941

Each scholarship is worth $5,000 and 15 students are chosen each year. Only undergraduate students are eligible for this scholarship; recipients can use the funds for tuition, fees, books, and room and board.

8. Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association Scholarship

The Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association Scholarship is awarded to children and other relatives of military women. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have a high school GPA of 3.5, plan to attend college full-time, and enroll in an accredited university.

Two winners will be selected for this scholarship and each will receive $1,500.

Other ways to pay for school

Beyond special scholarships, students whose parents are service members can use the following options to save on tuition.

Federal grants

Children whose parent was killed in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11 and who are also eligible for the Pell Grant will receive the maximum annual Pell Grant amount, which is $6,895 for 2022. Children who are not not eligible for the Pell Grant may instead qualify for the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, which offers a similar amount as the Pell Grant. You must be under 24 or enrolled in college at the time of your parents’ death to be eligible.

To qualify for these grants, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form includes information about your finances and those of your parents, including your income and assets. Completing the FAFSA will also make you eligible for federal student loans, work-study, and more.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

If your relative is still in the military and has access to educational benefits under the post-9/11 GI bill, they can transfer those benefits to you. There are several requirements they must meet to qualify; see them here.

If a relative died while on active duty or due to a service-related disability, you may also be eligible for survivor benefits. A parent who has a total or permanent disability can also transfer GI Bill benefits to a child.

State subsidies

Most states offer their own grants for children of veterans, but the exact requirements vary by location. Note that many states only offer these benefits to residents, so you may need to attend a school in the state you live in to qualify. To find out what your state offers, visit the website of its higher education agency.

Other scholarships

Students should continue to seek scholarships beyond those for children of veterans or military. To find more potential scholarships, you can use tools like:

Where possible, sign up to receive notification emails from these sites to be notified of scholarship opportunities that match your background. Look for scholarships that match your specific skills or demographics. For example, if you are the first person in your family to attend college, look for scholarships for first-generation college students.

Also ask your high school counselor if they know of any scholarships you might be eligible for. When you are accepted to a college, contact its financial aid department and ask how to maximize your scholarship opportunities.

Many educators teach children from Australian Defense Force (ADF) families or those who left active duty and are now veterans. More than 5% of households have at least at least one person who is currently serving or has served in the past (a veteran).

Given that 13% of veterans require assistance with basic self-care activities, understanding the the potential vulnerabilities and trauma that some of these families face are important in supporting tthese children in our early childhood settings.

The interim report of the Royal Commission on Defense and Veteran Suicide gave a new platform to what military family researchers have been saying for decades; ‘The well-being family matters” (Interim Report, p. 86).

Children and partners of veterans suffer when their military family member has service-related physical and/or mental health issues.

The executive summary of the report states: ‘we have heard many stories of children and families who have been affected by the death by suicide of a loved one or by the deterioration of their state of health mental and/or physical health” (Item 12).

A 2022 study of nearly 40,000 parents of US military families reporting mental health their children’s health found that parents of current military families reported fewer mental disorders health problems in children compared to children of veterans. One of the reasons for this could be that current military families tend to have stronger social support networks that act as a protective factor for children.

Caring for traumatized family members affects family life, which also means that children development and well-being are directly affected. The executive summary explains: “Families are inexorably linked to the health and well-being of military and former military personnel ADF members, and vice versa. There is insufficient awareness and recognition of the families play a key role” (Item 12).

The prevalence of mental health disorders among ADF members was reported in a 2018 Mental Health Survey. Health and Wellness Study, finding: ‘high lifetime prevalence rates of mental disorders among former ADF members, with It is estimated that 46.4% have suffered from a mental disorder in the last 12 months. An estimated 24.9% of ex-service members met the criteria for PTSD in their life, 46.1% for anxiety and 47.5% for alcohol-related disorders’ (Interim Report, 2022, p. 128).

Figure 1: Free research-based storybook for children whose parents have service-related mental health issues (from www.ecdefenceprograms.com)

It is important for educators to know that the mental health of an ADF or veteran parent negatively impacts their children and partners via a secondary transfer of mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The report says: “military deployment, as well as mental and behavioral disorders resulting from military service, can then increase the risk that partners, spouses, children and siblings develop mental health issues….children of staff with PTSD may also experience “secondary trauma” and have similar symptoms of PTSD like their parents (page 128).

Family life can be very difficult for some children in ADF and veteran families. A 2018 An Australian study found: 16.8% of partners and 14.4% of parents were classified as high or very high levels of psychological distress…..11 percent of partners and 12.9 percent of parents of former members reported high levels of PTSD. … higher suicide rates within the family members, with a total of 13.4% spouses, 10.6% parents and 18% adult children having thought about committing suicide the previous year” (page 128).

Figure 2: Research-based storybooks provide a starting point for conversations between children and adults (from www.ecdefenceprograms.com)

A 2019 study looked at 9 published research articles and found that children of parents who are deployed demonstrated more behavioral and emotional problems than children from non-military families.

Although many children from military families demonstrate resilience and thrive in difficult situations environments, some exhibit behavioral issues in early childhood settings, including display emotional and social problems. Understanding the emotional toll of the military family challenges on children is critical. Educators need to understand the impact of service children’s behavior and the need for trauma-informed practice.

The 2018 study also found rate of emotional problems among children of current ADF members (ages 2-17 years) at levels higher than the Community averages…. 16.9 percent reported problems with peers, 16.9% reported emotional problems and 15.8% reported hyperactivity” (p. 128).

Given the high needs of children in ADF families, educators can expect a wide range of available resources that enhance their own understanding of the challenges these children face, as well as resources to support the children themselves. However, a study revealed parents and educators were frustrated and felt isolated without appropriate resources and services.

Figure 3: Research-based storybooks for children whose parents have service-related injuries or medical conditions (from www.ecdefenceprograms.com)

Our research as part of the Early Childhood Defense Program project showed that there were almost no Age and culturally appropriate resources to help them understand:

1. deployment and training episodes when a parent has worked away
2. frequent locations
3. the household changes and stresses when a parent has service-related conditions.

Figure 4: Research-based storybook for children whose parents are deployed or work away for training (from www.ecdefenceprograms.com)

The executive summary of the interim report reiterated this, saying “Information on the assistance available is limited and the quantity, quality and too varied accessibility to media(Item 12).

To fill this gap, we received funding to co-create free, online, research-based resources.

This includes learning modules for educators and parents, research-based, downloadable children’s story books with educational activities and interactive children’s activities apps.

Figure 5: Free research-based modules for educators to support their efforts to help children of military and veterans families (at www.ecdefenceprograms.com)

Caring for children whose parents had service-related health and mental health issues, our Early Childhood Advocacy Program research team has worked with veterans, veteran partners, their Legacy Club Services family workers and educators to co-create some free resources for these very vulnerable children. These include interactive applications with activities to deepen children’s learning.

Story-based apps help families meet new challenges. For example, parents and veterans said it was almost impossible to organize family events because the veteran might not be able to deal with extra people, noise and situations they might find overwhelming. They also said that members need a lot of preparation time to prepare for an event or a simple discharged because they struggled to be mentally ready for simple daily interactions civilian life. It’s hard for their kids to understand, that’s why our apps support kids understanding of these daily challenges in the families of veterans.

At home, parents said they often choose between meeting the children’s needs and meet the needs of the veteran partner and they found it very stressful. veteran parents and family workers said these children needed help recognizing their parents’ emotions and practical ways to build their own resilience.

Figure 6: Research-based interactives designed to increase children’s emotional intelligence and resilience (from www.ecdefenceprograms.com)

Before families become veterans, they must leave defense. More than 5000 soldiers members transition every year, so their families face many challenges as they navigate life. Transition often means moving to another location, and many choose rural and regional areas. areas. However, traveling from regional, rural and remote areas to receive the treatment they the need imposes an additional burden on children and families.

Providing children and partners with more resources and better access to services will benefit their well-being, but also the well-being of veterans. Our resources are a start, but many more are needed to help these children and support their parents and educators.

WILKES-BARRE — As the school year approaches, the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wants eligible veterans with children to know that financial assistance is available for those pursuing post-secondary education. secondary or training at an accredited Commonwealth institution through its Educational Gratification Scheme.

“Each veteran has sacrificed in service to our nation, but some have sacrificed on a different level. This program is a way to show our gratitude while keeping our commitment to caring for their families,” said Brig. Gen. (AP) Maureen Weigl, Deputy Adjutant General of Veterans Affairs “Eligible veterans whose children plan to attend college or trade school after high school should not hesitate to seek assistance through the gratuity program. for education.”

The program supports children of honorably discharged veterans who have 100% service-related disabilities and served during a period of war or armed conflict, or children of veterans who died 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, live in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania five years prior to application, and attend a Commonwealth school. All applicants must be in financial need.

Payments will not exceed $500 per term or semester per eligible child at each designated educational institution for a total of eight terms or semesters.

To apply, contact the county director of veterans affairs in the county where you reside.

Meuser proposes changes

to the Inflation Reduction Act

Expressing concern about potential tax increases for American families and small businesses in “The Inflation Reduction Act” (HR 5376), U.S. Representative Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, proposed two amendments to the legislation to protect people with low and middle incomes from these tax increases

Meuser said congressional Democrats unanimously rejected the amendments.

“At a time when Americans are under extraordinary inflationary pressure, I have proposed a meaningful amendment to shield them from more taxes when they are already struggling to afford gas, groceries and utilities. I am disappointed that these changes have not been included in the legislation,” Meuser said.

Meuser’s First Amendment would have shielded low- and middle-income Americans from any tax hikes caused by this bill, by inserting language that would bar them from the tax hikes.

The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimated that the proposal would raise taxes for millions of Americans, with more than half of tax increases affecting Americans earning less than $400,000 a year. In 2023, the JCT determined that taxes would increase by $16.7 billion for taxpayers earning less than $200,000. Several economic analysts have concluded that the “Inflation Reduction Act” will statistically have no impact on reducing inflation and may even increase it within a year of its implementation.

The Second Amendment requires the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to analyze the potential inflationary impact of reconciliation bills. The amendment would have inserted text from HR 4181, the “Meuser Anti-Inflation Expenditure Act,” into the bill.

As inflation hits unprecedented highs, Meuser stressed the importance of the government taking appropriate steps to ensure that excessive government spending does not further increase inflation.

“This amendment would have offered a long-term look at the true effects of the legislation on inflation. It’s a common sense provision, and I’m disappointed that my fellow Democrats voted it down,” Meuser said.

The Inflation Reduction Act also creates a “US energy tax” by increasing royalties and taxes on oil and methane production. Meuser said those increases will be passed on to consumers in the form of higher gasoline prices, energy bills for heating and cooling homes and consumer prices.

“Americans are already bearing a significant burden from high energy prices,” Meuser said. “They will inevitably see higher prices because of taxes that will be passed on to consumers from taxes on energy producers. This legislation will only make matters worse.

The state urges aspiring farmers to

take benefit of PA Farm Bill

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding hosted a roundtable this week highlighting Pennsylvania’s bountiful resources for farmers looking to pass the torch to a new generation and for young people looking to enter the field. .

Held during Penn State University’s annual Agricultural Progress Days, the panel featured partners in business, nonprofits, and the legislature as well as farmers who have benefited from PA Farm-funded assistance. Bill to succeed in farming.

“Pennsylvania leads the nation in protecting farmland and leads the nation in getting young people into farming,” Redding said. “But without increasing the number of young farmers even further, we cannot feed a growing population on these lands. We still have work to do, but there is help available.

“Last week, Governor Wolf joined us in celebrating the nearly $72 million Pennsylvania has invested in the future of agriculture through the PA Farm Bill,” Redding continued. “Connecting young people to financing and connecting them with the expertise and resources needed to succeed remains our top priority. »

Pennsylvania leads the nation with 14% of the state’s farmers under the age of 35, and Lancaster County alone in 2020 has 2,400 young farmers, the most of any US county. The numbers have increased significantly since 2012, but farmers over 65 outnumber those under 35 by six times.

Supporting new and aspiring farmers and those looking to transfer their businesses to new owners was one of the primary goals of the PA Farm Bill. The Farm Bill created the Farm Business Development Center to connect farmers to resources, expertise and financing; Tax exemptions on real estate transfers from beginning farmers as an additional tax incentive for owners of preserved farms to rent or sell their assets to beginning farmers; and next-generation farm loans to reduce costs for young farmers expanding or establishing new operations.

To date, the state has funded 20 loans totaling $11,104,000 in tax-exempt, low-interest loans to farms in Lancaster and Chester County through the Next Generation Farmer Loan Program. . The program provides beginning farmers with access to affordable capital to purchase farmland or farm equipment, lowering interest rates and increasing farm profits through a unique partnership between the state, federal government and the private sector.

“Pennsylvania’s economy is strong and growing,” Governor Wolf said when the program’s first loans were funded in March 2022. “Seven years of sound fiscal management and careful investment in building our infrastructure and agricultural capabilities help our farmers continue to feed our economy and our families. We’ve seen farm profits and production increase over the past year, and we’re committed to fueling that momentum by raising a new generation of farmers and supporting the growth of the Pennsylvania farms we’re so proud of.

Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Chairman Elder Vogel joined the panel to discuss PA Farm Bill’s Beginner Farmer programs and the Commission for Excellence in Agricultural Education which ensures that schools’ programs of Pennsylvania lay the foundation for a workforce that is agile enough to innovate and embrace rapid change. agricultural technology. Senator Vogel defended both programs in the General Assembly.

The ministry certified 41 novice farmers and, in turn, preserved farm owners and novice farmers received $425,338 in real estate transfer tax exemptions for novice farmers for the sale of agricultural properties to young people taking over for grow in the future.

In addition, 12 farm owners received Beginning Farmer Tax Credits of $199,561 for renting or selling their property to beginning farmers.

Keller votes no on ‘reckless’

Democrats’ Spending Madness

U.S. Representative Fred Keller, R-Williamsport, issued the following statement after voting against the Washington Democrats’ so-called Cut Inflation Act:

“This bill really should be called the Income Reduction Act because it raises taxes on American workers and kills jobs. Americans are facing a recession brought on by President Biden’s failed policies.

Still, Washington’s Democratic elite thinks it’s a good idea to pass a reckless $750 billion bill that further crushes the middle class, hires 87,000 new IRS agents to audit small businesses and working families, and spends more than $350 billion on Green New Deal initiatives.

“Beyond the obvious concern that our government is spending beyond its means, the heart of this bill is about control. Americans don’t want big government anymore. They want a government that steps aside and allows them to create opportunities for their families and communities.

“President Reagan hit the nail on the head when he said of Washington politicians, ‘We might say they spend like drunken sailors, but that would be unfair to drunken sailors, because sailors spend their own money. .”

Contact Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.