Are you a veteran or service member who served in Iraq and Afghanistan? If so, you may be eligible for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. This grant provides financial aid to veterans and their families who were affected by their service in these countries.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to apply for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant and the benefits that it provides.
Overview of the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) provides financial assistance to students whose parent or guardian died as a result of service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11.
It is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and is based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is available to students who are under 24 years old, not eligible for Pell Grants due to their Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and meet one of the following requirements:
-Their parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11
-They were under 24 years old at the time of their parent or guardian’s death
-They were enrolled at least part-time in an eligible degree or certificate program at the time of their parent or guardian’s death
The grant amount may be up to the maximum Pell Grant amount for the award year, but cannot exceed the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received.
The grant is available to undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and teacher certification students, but does not cover graduate studies.
This grant can provide assistance for up to 10 semesters of education, or until the student reaches the age of 30.
It can be used to pay for tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation and living expenses.
Eligible students do not need to repay the grant if they complete their studies.
Who is eligible for the grant?
The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) is available to students whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11.
In order to be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:
– Have been under 24 years of age or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death.
– Not have been eligible for the Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Expected Family Contribution; and
– Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
Additionally, students must not have already received an IASG for their parent or guardian’s death, and must submit proof of their parent or guardian’s death during or after their service in Iraq or Afghanistan.
How to apply for the grant
Applying for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is a simple process. You will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and provide documentation of your parent or guardian’s active-duty service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001.
When filling out the FAFSA, you will need to include your parent or guardian’s active-duty service dates in order to be considered for the grant.
You may also need to submit a statement of service signed by your parent’s commanding officer. This statement should include the dates of service, the type of service performed, and the location of service.
You can apply for the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant at the same time as you apply for other federal student aid programs such as the Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).
Make sure to indicate that you are applying for the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant on your FAFSA.
If you have already applied for federal student aid, you can still apply for the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant by submitting a Renewal FAFSA.
You will still need to provide documentation of your parent or guardian’s service in Iraq or Afghanistan during this time.
Once you have submitted your FAFSA and any required documentation, your application will be processed and a decision will be made.
If approved, you will receive notification from the financial aid office at your school, who will inform you about the amount of money awarded and how to receive it.
What supporting documentation is needed?
If you are applying for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, you must provide certain documents that prove your eligibility.
In general, you will need to show proof of military service, such as a DD-214 form or other proof of honorable discharge.
You will also need to provide documentation that proves the death of your parent or guardian who was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died as a result of serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001.
This could include a death certificate, obituary, or official military record.
Additionally, you should provide evidence that you were dependent on the deceased parent or guardian at the time of their death, such as financial aid forms or tax returns.
Finally, you must also provide proof that you have not already received a Pell Grant for the same enrollment period, such as a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR).
