Tillis, Brown Introduce Legislation To Enhance Educational Benefits For Family Members of Servicemembers Killed In The Line Of Duty | Eastern NC Now

    News Release:

The Yellow Ribbon Program, Which Helps Pay for College Tuition and Fees, Currently Excludes Surviving Family Members

    WASHINGTON, D.C.     U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced legislation to ensure that surviving spouses and children of servicemembers who have died in the line of duty receive the same educational benefits as the family members of servicemembers who elect to transfer their benefits. The Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act of 2015 would expand eligibility for the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps students avoid out-of-pocket tuition and fees for education programs that cost more than the allowance set by the post 9/11 GI Bill. Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-8) introduced companion legislation in the House.

    "Our nation is forever indebted to the sacrifices made by our heroic men and women in uniform, and we have a responsibility to make sure their families have the support they need and deserve," Tillis said. "I'm proud to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation that expands student aid assistance for the families of the courageous servicemembers who have died in defense of our freedoms."

    "The families of servicemembers killed in action have sacrificed so much and they have our respect and our gratitude," Brown said. "Expanding the Yellow Ribbon Program will ensure that they have full access to the educational benefits they deserve."

    The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to the surviving spouses and children of servicemembers who have died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001. Tuition and fees at private institutions, however, can exceed the amounts provided under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. At institutions that volunteer to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, in addition to GI Bill benefits, the VA will match funds that the institution chooses to contribute to eligible students. Currently, spouses and children of servicemembers who died in combat may not participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, while veterans and the spouses and children of servicemembers who elected to transfer their benefits may do so. This forces some military families to pay out-of-pocket for their education.

    The Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act of 2015 would make surviving spouses and children eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, ensuring equitable support for these military families. The bill is supported by The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Gold Star Wives, Gold Star Moms, and the National Military Family Association.

    Brown and Tillis continue to advocate for servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Last week, the senators introduced legislation to ensure that veterans, students serving in the armed forces, and their qualifying dependents, can take full advantage of the federal education benefits they have earned for themselves and their families. The Veterans Priority Enrollment Act of 2015 allows veterans using their GI benefits to attain priority enrollment at four-year institutions so that they can finish their degrees before their benefits expire.


    Contact: Meghan Burris
        Press Secretary

    Contact: Daniel Keylin
        Communications Director

          Daniel_Keylin@tillis.senate.gov  •  (202) 224-6342