What is the mission? 
Our mission is to provide college scholarships and educational counseling to the children of military personnel who have passed away in the line of duty. Our goal is to bridge the gap in funding between available sources of grants and scholarships (i.e., VA Chapter 33 or 35, federal, state, local and private grants) and the total cost of college.

Who do we serve? 
Dependent children – whether natural, by marriage or adoption – who have lost a parent in the line of military duty, during combat or peacetime. All branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard) and all components (active, reserve and guard) are covered.

What expenses are covered?
Costs related to undergraduate education: tuition, room and board, books, fees, living expenses, a one-time $1,000 computer stipend. Students can be enrolled in either public or private institutions; colleges, universities and vocational schools are covered. We do not cover airfare to and from school, and funding cannot be applied to graduate-level education.

How much does the organization provide to each student?
A lifetime funding cap and a five-year maximum assistance limit per student has been implemented.

-Chapter 33 (FRY) students: lifetime funding cap of $75,000.

-Chapter 35 (DEA) students: lifetime funding cap of $100,000. Chapter 35 students typically receive less VA funding, often resulting in a greater financial need. Having a higher cap for Chapter 35 students will address this.

This cap is not a promised amount, but rather it is the maximum a student might receive based on documented need. Fallen Patriots will offer funding for up to five years, which doesn't have to be used consecutively but must be utilized by students before they turn 33 years old.

Why did we implement a funding cap?

These changes are necessary to help us serve more students, as demand has increased due to the high number of casualties in Iraq from 2007 to 2008. Our goal is to ensure Fallen Patriots’ resources are stewarded effectively, enabling us to support as many of our students as possible. Analysis of historical data across our current and past student population determined the majority of our students (99%) will not exceed these caps; however, a small number will be impacted by this change. Current students that have exceeded these caps will receive their final Fallen Patriots scholarship in both the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 term to allow time to plan for the Fall 2025 term/semester and beyond. The cap will be in effect as of Fall 2025.

Grants are assessed on a rolling basis and any award does not guarantee future awards. Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation reserves the right to change these policies at any time based on business conditions. These policy changes will enhance our ability to support our students while ensuring the student’s financial resources are allocated appropriately.

Do we assist students living on campus?

Beginning Fall 2025, all students who are living on campus (their housing is billed through their school) will be required to apply their MHA/monthly stipends towards their housing and associated fees. This delay will allow time for these students to apply for other scholarships and save their Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 MHA/monthly stipend and apply these funds to their Fall 2025 bill.

-Chapter 33 (FRY) - Students will be expected to apply their monthly VA MHA payments to their expenses for on-campus housing. Fallen Patriots will reduce the bursar balance less housing costs on statement. If the MHA does not fully cover on-campus housing costs, students can reach out to us, and we will review the remaining balance.

-Chapter 35 (DEA) - Monthly stipend of $1,536 (x3) will be deducted from the on-campus housing cost in the bursar statement. If the monthly stipend does not fully cover on-campus housing costs, students can reach out to us, and we will review the remaining balance.

Is there an age requirement to receive assistance?
Please be sure to enroll all students regardless of age or college status. However, students above the age of 33 will be evaluated for assistance on a case-by-case basis.

Do we require students to use their Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits?

-Freshmen and Sophomores will be required to use their VA benefits.

-Juniors and Seniors may pause their VA benefits to be used for graduate programs but are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25*to receive tuition assistance from Fallen Patriots.

-Juniors and Seniors who choose to save their benefits but do not meet the Cumulative GPA of 3.25* requirement: the amount equivalent to their term/semester Chapter 33 (FRY) tuition benefit will be deducted from their total tuition bill and Fallen Patriots we will review the remaining balance.

All students living on-campus, their MHA/monthly stipend for that term/semester will be deducted from their housing bill (as explained in section #2). All students may still apply for the living expense stipend, provided they maintained a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in the previous term.

How do we receive assistance?
The first step in receiving scholarship assistance is by enrolling yourself or your family into our system. Enroll here.

What documentation do I need to provide? 
We realize the strain that surviving families endure, so we strive to make our process as simple, user-friendly and flexible as possible. Our staff can handle many of your needs over the phone. Typical documents needed include:

• A copy of the Casualty Report (DD1300) or DD214 along with death and birth certificates

• Class schedule

• Bursar Statement

• Proof of your VA benefits DIC for children under 18, CH35 or CH33

• Transcript with GPA

• Documentation of expenses (If applicable)

What is the scholarship award process? 
Our scholarship committee seeks to maintain a streamlined grant approval process for you and your family. Grants are processed on a rolling basis. There are no hard deadlines, EXCEPT for living expenses. We do not retroactively assist with living expenses. We need all documents before the end of the semester in order to assist with living expenses. Grants which are received in a timely fashion with all necessary supporting documentation will be processed within 3-4 weeks of receipt.

How are funds provided? 
Once the grant has been approved, a check will be cut and paid directly to the educational institution. For payments made to the institution, we will include your name and student account number on the check. Reimbursements will be paid by check directly to the person who made the payment and stipends will be addressed to the student in the form of a check.