ARLINGTON, Va. - The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) congratulates the high school class of 2016 as they continue their education at universities across the country in honor of their fallen loved one. These surviving military children will attend a variety of schools, including Columbia University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Texas Christian University and the University of Hawaii.
The TAPS Education Support Services provides a range of services to families of the fallen, including those who wish to pursue vocational training or a secondary degree. This program connects students with scholarship opportunities, on-campus emotional support and student loan forgiveness programs. The work of TAPS Education Services is made possible by the generous support of the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund.
All of the young survivors from the class of 2016 will be receiving the Marine GSGT John Fry Scholarship, an extension of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This scholarship provides full in-state tuition, a book stipend and a housing allowance. Students will also receive assistance from a variety of scholarship organizations, and TAPS partners, including Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Folds of Honor Foundation and Freedom Alliance.
"For our high school graduates, it's difficult that their loved ones aren't there to see them achieve their educational goals," said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder and 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. "TAPS plans to recognize the achievements of our high school graduates and help them celebrate at our National Military Survivor Seminar each Memorial Day as they move on to pursue their future aspirations."
ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America's fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 60,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, healing seminars and retreats for adults, camps for children, casework assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline at 800.959.TAPS (8277) available for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go here or call TAPS at 202.588.TAPS (8277). Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @TAPSorg.
TAPS Education Support Services
TAPS has been providing educational support to families of the fallen for almost two years and has saved nearly $60 million in college tuition expenses. TAPS Education Support Services connects surviving military children with education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), state tuition waivers, private scholarships and student loan forgiveness. Survivors have access to the Education Support Services online portal with information on individualized education benefits. TAPS also facilitates the relationship between survivor and school in understanding their benefits and connecting them with on campus emotional support.
About Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund
Established in 2014, the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to financially assisting veterans and their family members with education expenses. The fund is inspired by Colonel John "Johnny Mac" McHugh, KIA in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 18, 2010. To learn more about or support the mission of the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, visit here.
