The Coalition 'Programme for Government' included an undertaking to provide 'university and further education scholarships for the children of Service personnel who have been killed on active duty since 1990'.

THE initiative aims to give the children of those killed in the service of their country a head start in life. On the basis that graduates earn more over their lifetime than non-graduates, the scheme is designed to enable these young people to get a first degree. In order to get to university they must first follow the academic stream at school and a Further Education scholarship will help these children to stay in school to obtain a
university place.

The scholarship is not a free university place but a contribution towards the tuition fees and living costs.
Scholarship amounts may vary for each of the countries in the UK, because of the differences in the way that education is funded across the Devolved Administrations.  The intention is to provide the equivalent level of support regardless of which home country a family resides in or where a child chooses to study.  For the purposes of the Scheme, bereaved children from overseas will be treated as though they are resident in England. 

For the 2010-11 academic year the scholarships for a child resident in England are £1,500 per year for further education and £8,240 per year while on a first undergraduate degree course at a UK university.  This is likely to rise for academic year 2011-12 in line with the increases in tuition fees, when these have been decided.

HM Revenue and Customs have agreed that these scholarships will be free of Income Tax and National Insurance.