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John Fry Scholarship Now Expanded to Include Surviving Spouses

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By George Vukovich
Director, Veterans Outreach, American Military University

Just this month, a historic event was announced regarding higher education opportunities for surviving spouses of service members who have lost their lives in the line of duty since September 10, 2001. These men and women now have another opportunity at their disposal to complete a program of higher learning.

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship was an amendment to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which took effect in 2009. It provided education benefits to children of service members who were killed in the line of duty. The scholarship was named after Sgt. John Fry, who was killed in Iraq in 2006 by an improvised explosive device. His widow and three children survive him.

On August 7 of this year, President Obama signed into law the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, which expands the Fry Scholarship to also cover surviving spouses, as well as children. Provisions of the law and entitlements are equal to 100% of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Recipients will be entitled to 36 months of usage, a monthly housing allowance, a books and supplies stipend, and tuition and fee payments.

The changes in eligibility go into effect January 1, 2015. The Veterans Administration will start accepting applications November 3, 2014. Complete details of the new law can be viewed at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

As a veteran, I am pleased at the wonderful opportunities and initiatives our government continues to provide. Not just for service members and veterans, but for deserving family members, too. We’re taking care of our own and not forgetting the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform.

About the Author

George Vukovich is a retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant with 20 years of service as an infantry Staff Non-Commissioned Officer. One of the highlights of his career was selection to the highly competitive SNCO Degree Completion Program. While assigned to the program, George completed undergraduate degree requirements with the Virginia Commonwealth University.

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By Ryan Laspina
Senior Specialist, Red Flags and External Reviews

Since you are never too old to pursue a college degree, nontraditional students can make up a significant portion of the student body, especially in graduate level programs. While older students are usually wiser, there are still numerous tips that can benefit them.

What’s in a Name? The Naming of Our University Mascots

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By Cindy Aitken
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6 Helpful Hints Veterans Should Consider When Deciding on a College

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It’s no secret that veterans entering college for the first time have different needs than the typical student who jumps directly from high school to the university level. Veterans are generally older, are more likely to have a family, and have been living a much different lifestyle.

With those differences in mind, NerdScholar’s Gianna Sen-Gupta has put together a list of tips for the Huffington Post that can help veterans make the right decision about which school to attend.

6 Tips to Help Veterans Choose the Best College

The Education Appeal of Internships in IT

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By Dr. Jeff Wang
Faculty Member, Information Technology at American Public University

As a student or recent graduate, an internship is your opportunity to gain valuable, real-world experience. It’s critical that you’re able to practice and test your knowledge as an intern by applying the theory and curriculum you learned from your professional studies to solve complex problems.

How You Can Prepare for an Unintended School Absence

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By Craig Gilman
Faculty member with American Military University

Sometimes… life happens. It doesn’t matter how well or how far in advance you plan, some things simply cannot be anticipated. While this is true for anyone, for those serving in the military, odds are life will happen sooner, rather than later. Whether you have finally signed up for that first class or are only a couple of classes away from graduation, life simply does not care. However, if you take the right attitude and approach, your professors and university should.

Overcoming the Shock of Being a New College Student

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By Dr. Robert Lee Gordon
Associate Professor, Reverse Logistics Management at American Public University

New students often arrive with the idea that earning a bachelor’s degree will be relatively easy because they have already earned a high school diploma. However, once in a college program, the student realizes the commitment needed for an online course and the student goes through a series of shocks about undergraduate education. The first shock is about how much work must be done; the second shock is about the quality required of the work.