Duckworth's Bipartisan ACES Act to Keep College Affordable for Military Widows Passes House

Press Release

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth's (IL-08) bipartisan Military Spouses Achieving College Education for Survivors (ACES) Act today passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of a broader legislative package, and will now be considered by the U.S. Senate. The legislation, which was introduced on Memorial Day with Republican Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02), would help widows whose spouses died in the line of duty after 9/11 afford college by ensuring their Fry Scholarship--an earned educational benefit for military families--is not cut short before they finish school.

"Gold Star families have been through enough without a loophole costing military widows their college scholarships as well," said Congresswoman Duckworth. "I'm pleased the House has passed my common-sense, bipartisan ACES Act to protect the benefits we've promised the families that are willing to sacrifice so much for us, and I'll keep working to ensure the President signs it into law."

While the Fry Scholarship has been expanded to provide a full 36 months of scholarship benefits to surviving military spouses as well as children of fallen Servicemembers--enough to cover a 4-year degree--current law limits eligibility for spouses to 15 years after the death of their loved one. Because the expansion didn't go into effect until 2015, many widows whose spouses died in the line of duty shortly after 9/11 will not have time to complete their education before their eligibility window closes and could lose their scholarship. The bipartisan ACES Act would clarify that surviving spouses who are enrolled before the 15-year limit expires can use the full 36 months of benefits intended.

Congressman Rigell said: "I am proud the House took an important step today to ensure our Gold Star families have access to the educational and other benefits promised to them by our nation. If signed into law, this good, bipartisan legislation will allow our military spouses who lost loved ones shortly after September 11, 2001 to use their full educational benefit through the Fry Scholarship, without fear of it being cut short halfway through their educational pursuits. I am encouraged by the House's quick action in passing this important bill, and I look forward to seeing it come to the Senate floor for a vote."

Source