Chapman University has announced a new philanthropic partnership aimed at supporting the families of Americas veterans through targeted educational assistance. Valor Partners, an organization committed to expanding opportunities for military-connected families, will provide $25,000 annually for the next five years to support students using Chapter 35 Dependent Education Assistance (DEA) benefits. These benefits are intended for eligible spouses and children of veterans who have died, are permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities, or are missing in action or captured during service. With Chapman University matching the annual gift, the total pool of scholarship funds available to these students will rise to $50,000 per year, significantly expanding the resources available to this group of dependents. The initiative is further facilitated by the Gary Sinise Foundation, a well-known supporter of veterans, first responders, and their families. This collaboration marks Chapman as the first official California partner for Valor Partners, joining a national network of schools that has awarded approximately 1,700 scholarships across the country. The program highlights how philanthropy can be directed to address specific financial shortfalls that often determine whether military-connected students are able to pursue or complete their education. For students eligible under Chapter 35 DEA, federal benefits cover only part of the cost of higher education. Chapmans leaders underscored that the Valor partnership is designed to fill the remaining financial gapsthose last mile costs such as fees, books, housing, or tuition differentials that can jeopardize a students academic progress if left unmet. Stephen Leader, Director of Chapmans Veterans Resource Center, explained that the university has seen remarkable growth in its population of VA-connected students. Since fall 2021, Chapman has recorded more than a 40% increase in its veteran and military family enrollment. Between January and December 2024, 265 unique students used the GI Bill, while 40 students accessed Chapter 35 DEA benefits during the 20242025 academic year. Leader emphasized that the new partnership will allow these studentsmany of whom already face the emotional and financial toll of losing a parent or supporting a disabled veteran in their familyto continue their studies without additional financial stress. The commitment from Valor Partners was welcomed by Executive Director Kelli Campbell-Goodnow, who described the partnership as a demonstration of Chapmans leadership in meeting the needs of veterans families. According to Campbell-Goodnow, these scholarships are a tangible investment in the resilience of the spouses and children who carry forward the legacy of service. The university framed the program as a natural extension of its mission to broaden access to quality higher education and ensure that financial limitations do not derail the academic aspirations of those connected to military service. Since its establishment in 2018, Chapmans Veterans Resource Center has grown into a hub for military-connected students. The center has recorded a 135% increase in its VA student population in just seven years and provides services ranging from advising to peer mentorship. With demand rising steadily, the Center plans to relocate to a larger office space in early spring 2026 to improve its ability to support the growing number of veteran and military family students. University officials also encouraged other philanthropists and organizations to consider similar commitments, highlighting the value of sustained, targeted support that adapts to the evolving needs of veterans dependents. For military-connected families, programs like this can be the deciding factor between completion and interruption of higher education. By filling the critical funding gaps, these scholarships empower spouses and children to achieve professional and personal goals while honoring the sacrifices of their loved ones. The partnership also signals to the broader academic community that universities can play a vital role in ensuring the long-term success of military families beyond federal programs alone.