Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014

On August 7, 2014, President Obama signed into law the Veterans Choice Act. Technical revisions to the Choice Act now allows certain surviving spouses to take advantage of educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Specifically, this section extends the Fry Scholarship to surviving spouses of military personnel who die in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. Prior to this Act, only children of those who died in the line of duty were eligible for this benefit.

Eligible spouses will be entitled to up to 36 months of the full, 100% level, of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This includes the tuition and fee payment, a monthly housing allowance, and a books and supplies stipend.

These eligibility changes will be implemented effective January 1, 2015.

The VA will begin accepting applications on November 3, 2014. Applications must be completed and forwarded to the appropriate regional processing office (as indicated on the form) via postal mail, fax, or email.

Link to Factsheet: http://omvae.wayne.edu/pdfs/fry_scholarship_expansion_factsheet.pdf