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The MIA/KIA Dependents Scholarship Program, created by Act 188 of 1973, was amended by Act 2127 of 2005, and subsequent legislation to include the dependents of disabled veterans. The Program, now called the Military Dependents Scholarship Program (MDS), provides financial aid for undergraduate students seeking a bachelor's degree or certificate of completion at any public college, university or technical school in Arkansas who qualify as a spouse or dependent child* of an Arkansas resident who has been declared to be missing in action, killed in action, a prisoner of war, or killed on ordnance delivery, or a veteran who has been declared to be 100% totally and permanently disabled during, or as a result of, active military service. The scholarship provides assistance with the cost of tuition at the in-state rate, room and meal plan when provided in campus facilities, and mandatory fees that include general registration fees, any special course fees and activity fees. *The Department of Higher Education uses the criteria of “dependent child” as defined by the U. S. Department of Education.
To be eligible for a Military Dependents Scholarship, the applicant must meet the following criteria: be a dependent (as determined by the federal guidelines) natural child, a legally adopted child (stepchildren are not eligible unless they have been legally adopted by the veteran), or a child who's legal guardian is the veteran under whose eligibility they are applying OR the spouse of the veteran under whose eligibility he or she is applying. In addition, the applicant and his/her parent or spouse must be a current resident of the State of Arkansas.
The following documents are required for application. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education reserves the right to request additional documentation as needed to verify eligibility.
- A completed and signed MDS Application.
- Proof of current Arkansas residency status (i.e., most recent state tax return, automobile registration, payment of property taxes, etc.).
- A copy of eligibility status under the federal program for dependents of disabled veterans, the Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program (aka Chapter 35 benefits).
- A Statement from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA Form 20-5455) attesting to “special monthly compensation by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs for service-connected, one hundred percent (100%) total and permanent disability” for the parent or spouse under whose name the applicant is a dependent of.
- A copy of his/her Birth Certificate and/or evidence of adoption by, or legal guardianship of, the veteran if the applicant is a dependent child;
- A copy of his/her Marriage License, if a spouse.
- A Death Certificate IF the parent or spouse was declared killed in action or on ordnance delivery;
- A Report of Casualty from the appropriate U.S. Military Department IF the parent or spouse was declared missing in action or a POW
August 1 for the Fall Term December 1 for the Spring/Winter Terms
May 1 for Summer I Term and July 1 for Summer II Term.
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