STATE OF INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 777 North Meridian Street, Suite 300 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46204-2738 | Eric J. Holcomb, Governor Dennis A. Wimer, Director |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 11, 2024
Media Contact:
Ian Connor
Ian@holsapplecommunications.com
(317) 508-8927
Operation Back to School Returns for Third Year with Financial Aid for Indiana Veterans
Eligible families may receive up to $500 per dependent for back-to-school needs
INDIANAPOLIS –The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) continues its Indiana Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) Operation Back to School program for a third year. This program provides financial assistance to Indiana veteran families experiencing financial difficulty, offering $500 per qualified dependent for back-to-school supplies and other school-related expenses. Families can begin applying on July 15. The application period closes on August 30.
“The financial challenges of preparing for a new school year can be overwhelming, especially for veteran families trying to make ends meet on an everyday basis,” said Dennis Wimer, director of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. “Operation Back to School is our way of offering tangible assistance through the Military Family Relief Fund to ensure children have the tools they need to succeed, and veterans receive the support they deserve."
Eligible dependents include those attending kindergarten through 12th grade (up to 18 years of age) and full-time college students (up to 23 years of age) who reside in the veteran’s home.
Applicants must provide the following documentation:
- Completed Application
- DD-214
- Proof of Income
- Bank Statement
- Proof of Child’s Residency
- Proof of Child’s Dependency
MFRF’s Operation Back to School is exclusively for veteran families experiencing financial difficulty who reside in Indiana, have served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, and possess a discharge in the form of a DD-214 or National Guard Bureau (NGB) Form 22.
The Operation Back to School application and more information about the program can be found at https://www.in.gov/dva/about-idva/links/military-family-relief-fund/.
About the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs
The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) mission is to Support, Serve, and Advocate for the Indiana Veterans Community. IDVA aims to make Indiana the choice for veterans to Live, Work, and Thrive. For more information about IDVA and its services, visit in.gov/dva.