Albany, N.Y. - Governor Cuomo is broadening the interpretation of educational scholarships for military families.
Under the new directive, college tuition and related costs will be covered for all children and spouses of members of the U.S. military who die, are lost or become disabled while serving.
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“Military service is more than just the active military member," said Cuomo. "The entire family is in service, and we will honor that sacrifice and respect that service not just in words, not just with symbols, but with deeds.”
Cuomo said he wants to make sure that Gold Star families have the support they need when it comes to high-quality education.
The MERIT scholarship was created in 2003, just after the start of the Iraq War.
Assembly Democrats blocked a bill last week that would have provided the benefit to Gold Star Families despite giving free college admission to illegal immigrants in the State Budget.