Dependents Education Fund (Survivors of Deceased Veterans / POW / MIA)

State-funded education benefit for surviving children and spouses of veterans who died from hostile action or service-connected disability, or who are POW/MIA. Up to 4 years at RI public institutions.

State BenefitRhode IslandEducation & Training

Verified May 12, 2026 against webserver.rilegislature.gov

At a glance

Benefit type: Education & Training — Rhode Island
Who it's for: Spouses, Survivors, Dependents
VA rating needed: No rating requirement
Estimated value: Up to in-state URI tuition + books per year
Where it applies: Rhode Island
Last verified: May 12, 2026

What is Dependents Education Fund (Survivors of Deceased Veterans / POW / MIA)?

Dependents Education Fund (Survivors of Deceased Veterans / POW / MIA) is a Rhode Island education & training benefit for spouses, survivors, dependents. State-funded education benefit for surviving children and spouses of veterans who died from hostile action or service-connected disability, or who are POW/MIA. Up to 4 years at RI public institutions. The listed value is Up to in-state URI tuition + books per year.

Who qualifies

Spouses
Survivors
Dependents

Through veteran sponsor (any rating)
Rhode Island residency

How to apply

Apply through the official Rhode Island agency.

Open application

Who is eligible

Eligibility

Son, daughter, or surviving spouse of a veteran who died from hostile action or a service-connected disability, or who is/was a POW or MIA (with specific conditions).

What Dependents Education Fund (Survivors of Deceased Veterans / POW / MIA) covers

Age

Children must be 16-26 years old when entering.

Duration

Up to the normal time for completing the program, but not more than 4 years.

Max aid

Cannot exceed in-state tuition cost at URI plus average cost of books for that year.

Surviving spouses

Must use benefits within 10 years of becoming eligible.

Schools

URI, RIC, CCRI, or any institution of higher education or technical/professional learning. Administered by the Division of Higher Education Assistance.

Legal Basis

RIGL 30-30-1, 30-30-2.

Important to know

This state benefit does NOT cover dependents of living 100%-disabled veterans (see federal VA Chapter 35 DEA for that population).

Verified information & sources

Last verified: May 12, 2026
Official source: webserver.rilegislature.gov
Apply at: vets.ri.gov

Compiled and fact-checked against the official source linked above. Benefit rules and dollar amounts change over time — always confirm current details at the official source before applying. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is a free, accredited advocate who can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.

How VetUnlock verifies benefits

Frequently asked questions about Dependents Education Fund (Survivors of Deceased Veterans / POW / MIA)

Who qualifies for Dependents Education Fund (Survivors of Deceased Veterans / POW / MIA)?

Dependents Education Fund (Survivors of Deceased Veterans / POW / MIA) is for Spouses, Survivors, Dependents; Through veteran sponsor (any rating); rhode island residency. See the eligibility details on this page and confirm with the official source before applying.

How much is Dependents Education Fund (Survivors of Deceased Veterans / POW / MIA) worth?

The listed value is Up to in-state URI tuition + books per year. Amounts can change — confirm the current figure at the official source linked on this page.

How do I apply for Dependents Education Fund (Survivors of Deceased Veterans / POW / MIA)?

Apply through the official source linked on this page. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.

Where can I verify Dependents Education Fund (Survivors of Deceased Veterans / POW / MIA)?

Benefit rules and dollar amounts change, so always confirm current details at the official source linked on this page. A free, accredited county or state Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can also verify your eligibility and help you apply.