Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors has increased its efforts to help families of fallen soldiers receive the benefits they are entitled to.
According to Military Times, spouses and children of deceased servicemembers are often unaware of the educational benefits they are eligible to receive, and because of this end up forgoing higher education or drowning in student loan debt. TAPS has created a Web page to guide survivors through the process of applying for scholarships and grants.
TAPS was created in 1992 by current CEO Bonnie Carroll. Her husband, a member of the Army, passed away in a plane crash and she founded the organization in an effort to help others in similar situations. The group offers emotional support groups, community workshops and even summer camps for families who have lost a soldier. According to Military Times, TAPS works closely with the Veterans Affairs Department and 45 U.S. states, as well as private companies and scholarship funds that hope to help military children and spouses.
The educational initiative began in January 2014 and has already assisted 420 surviving family members receive funding for school, noted the source.