State Survivor Benefits For Massachusetts

ELIGIBILITY

• Children, stepchildren (if DEERS eligible) and remarried or unremarried spouses
• Service members cause of death must be ruled line of duty by the Department of Veterans Affairs
• Service member must have entered service from the state of Massachusetts; Student must be a Massachusetts state resident for at least a year immediately prior to application
• Can be used with federal benefits

BENEFITS

• Award equal to the full tuition if attending a Massachusetts public institution
• Award of up to $2,500 a year at a Massachusetts independent college
• Does not cover room, board or books
• Can only be used towards undergraduate degrees
• Students must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours)
• Must be used at a Massachusetts public institution or Massachusetts independent college

DOCUMENTS

• Copy of DD1300 or DD214
• Copy of service members death certificate
• Copy of marriage license for spouses and stepchildren
• Copy of students birth certificate
• Proof of residency
• Selective Service registration
• FASFA
• Copy of students most recent transcripts

Application due date: May 1st for new applicants, prior to the start of the term for renewal

Contact for further information: Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance- Bridget Lynch (617) 391-6070

Download application: http://www.osfa.mass.edu/pdfs/2013-14PubServApplicationNewApplicant.pdf

Note: This information is current as of September 16, 2014. The information provided is meant to provide a general overview of the state benefits and should be considered in connection with individual circumstances.