Bill > SB772

This bill expands the eligibility criteria for the Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program to include sons, daughters, stepchildren, or surviving spouses of members of the armed forces who are or were eligible for the Chapter 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefit. Chapter 35 is a VA educational assistance program for dependents of veterans with certain service-connected disabilities. The bill provides multiple methods for verifying eligibility, allowing applicants to submit a certificate of eligibility from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or have a school certifying official or institutional liaison verify their eligibility if they cannot obtain the certificate. This expansion aims to provide additional educational support to family members of veterans who have significant service-connected disabilities. The new provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025, and apply to various categories of military-connected individuals, including those with disabilities, prisoners of war, those missing in action, and family members of those who died or were disabled in service. The scholarship program is designed to help military families access postsecondary education by providing financial assistance.

Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0772?ys=2025RS