At This University Families of Fallen Soldiers Study for Free

The University of Memphis has decided to grant full scholarships to the children and spouses of fallen American veterans.

Beginning this fall 2018, students entering or continuing higher education at the University of Memphis will no longer be charged tuition.

The University of Memphis is the first in the nation to fully help military families with financial aid.

The University has already been accepting the Folds of Honor scholarship, which awards spouses and children of fallen and disabled service members financial assistance for undergraduate studies. The Folds of Honor scholarship awards $5,000 a year to students 24 or younger, or spouses at any age if they have not remarried.

The University of Memphis tuition is close to $10,000 a year. By enacting this new policy, the University will help bridge the financial gap, enabling students to study without worrying about how to cover the additional costs of tuition.

Alyssa Hill, whose father, Army National Guard Captain Raymond D. Hill II was killed in Iraq in 2005 when Alyssa was just 10 years old, just graduated from the University of Memphis.

She says, “For other people going forward, I think it will be a huge help and a huge relief… It will try to take some of that burden off and try to pay back some of that sacrifice.”

President of the University, David Rudd, explained to the Board (who overwhelmingly approved of the measure back in March) “This sacrifice is remarkable and we need to recognize that”.

Rudd, who is also a veteran, has said that it is very important to the University to serve and value military families. It creates an environment where children and spouses of veterans can feel respected and honored for their family’s sacrifice.