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6. The Camp Lejeune Family Member Program.  This is a healthcare-based survivor benefit for children of veterans from the VA. One of the key qualifications is that your veteran-parent must have served at Camp Lejeune. The program also qualifies children of those who served at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in North Carolina.

Also, you must have lived with your veteran-parent in any of these two places for at least 30 straight days. Years of eligibility will have to be between August 1953 and December 1987.  A few of the diseases linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune include the following:

  • Adult leukemia
  • Aplastic anemia
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Cancers of the bladder, kidney, and liver
  • Parkinson’s disease

     

  

  

  

   

  

  

  

  

   

    

7. Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Benefits Program.  A study found that minor birth defects were in 22% of the children of deployed Gulf War-era veterans. This is 17% higher than the 5% prevalence in the children of non-deployed women.

Other studies have found that women veterans of the Gulf War-era have developed many reproductive issues. A considerable portion of their children also developed diseases.   Because of the reproductive issues many Gulf War-era women veterans face, programs are now available for those who deal with such health problems. One of the programs is the Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV) Health Care Benefits Program. It covers necessary treatment for a VA-covered birth defect and other associated conditions.

        
8. Chapter 35 Educational Benefits.  Among the primary VA education benefits for children of veterans is the Chapter 35 benefit. If you qualify, you can get education and training, as well as money to pay for your tuition fees. The VA can even help you cover the cost of school books, supplies, and housing.  There are two main VA educational programs available.

   

a.  First is the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship. Children of service members who died on active duty after September 10, 2001, can qualify.

    

b.  The second is the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program. This provides educational and training benefits to the dependents of disabled veterans. Children of veterans (who died on active duty or due to a service-connected condition) may also qualify.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

          

9. Post 9/11 GI Benefits for Children of Veterans.  A veteran parent can transfer their unused 9/11 GI benefits over to their dependent child. If the DoD approves the transfer, a dependent child may be able to get up to 36 months of educational benefits. A dependent child can then use the granted money to pay for your tuition fees, school books, supplies, as well as housing.

       

10. Burial Benefits.  The dependent of veterans may also receive assistance for the burial of their parents.  Dependents may consider applying for this benefit.  Eligibility is sometimes dependent upon other organizations or agencies that will not reimburse burial costs.  Dependents can use the benefit to pay for the gravesite or the internment of a veteran. In addition, the money can go toward the costs to transport the veteran’s remains to burial grounds.

      

11. VA Survivors Pension.  Dependents of wartime veterans may also qualify for a monthly pension.  If you a dependent is single and under the age of 18, he/she may be eligible for this financial aid every month.  A dependent child may also qualify if the are between 19 and 23 years-old and enrolled in a VA-approved school. If a dependent child has a disability that occurred before he/she turned 18, they may apply for this program.

         
12. Scholarships for Children of Veterans.  Many U.S. organizations offer scholarships and grants to the children of veterans. The amount that they provide vary, and some are location-specific. Others require the beneficiaries to attend specific schools.  Here are some of the scholarships and grants available to dependents.

  • American Legion Legacy Scholarship
  • AMVETS Scholarships
  • Ankin Law Office Scholarship for Military Veterans
  • Air Force Aid Society General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program
  • Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program
  • Coast Guard Exchange System Scholarship Program
  • Fisher House Foundation Scholarship Programs

    

There are many more dependent-unique educational programs available in each state.  Each state is responsible and coordinates its own educational program designed to assist a veterans dependents.

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