College Money for Children of Disabled or Deceased Wartime Veterans in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs runs the Educational Gratuity Program, which pays money toward school costs for the children of wartime veterans who have a service-connected disability or who died in service.
The veteran parent must have died in service during a period of war or armed conflict, or must have an Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces, have served during established wartime service dates as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and have a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal can also be used to establish wartime service.
The child applying must be between the ages of 16 and 23, must have been living within the Commonwealth for the five years before applying, and must attend an approved school within Pennsylvania. The VA WEAMS Institution search tool lists approved schools. The applicant must also have a financial need.
Payment will not exceed $500 per term or semester for each qualified child, and it goes straight to the approved educational institution after that school submits proof that the student is enrolled. Payments may not be made for longer than four scholastic years, which is eight payments.
To apply, contact the County Director of Veterans Affairs in the county where you live. It is important to have these documents when you apply:
- A copy of last military service DD214 or Military Death Certificate of the sponsoring veteran
- A copy of birth certificate of applicant
- Proof of identification (driver's license, voter registration, etc.)
- Proof of Pennsylvania residency for last five (5) years
For more information, contact the DMVA by email at Ra-eg@pa.gov. Do not send completed applications or personally identifiable information over email. The page does not give a phone number, office hours, an application deadline or how long a decision takes, so ask the County Director of Veterans Affairs about those.
Source: pa.gov/agencies/dmva/pennsylvania-veterans/pa-vetconnect/…, read September 18, 2026.
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Children of eligible veterans must be between the ages of 16 and 23, living within the Commonwealth five years prior to application and must attend an approved school within the Commonwealth. An applicant must also have a financial need.
- A copy of last military service DD214 or Military Death Certificate of the sponsoring veteran
- A copy of birth certificate of applicant
- Proof of identification (driver's license, voter registration, etc.)
- Proof of Pennsylvania residency for last five (5) years
In Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’s words
Through our programs and services, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is committed to caring for the families of servicemembers who served our nation and defended America's borders. The Educational Gratuity Program helps the DMVA to meet that commitment. The Educational Gratuity Program provides financial assistance to children of honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities and served during periods of war or armed conflict, or children…
Organization
Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
About this listing
This listing summarizes publicly available information from pa.gov/agencies/dmva/pennsylvania-veterans/pa-vetconnect/…. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.