((a)) ** Retroactive eligibility** Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a spouse or child of a Federal law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty on or after ,, and a spouse or child of a public safety officer killed in the line of duty on or after , shall be eligible for assistance under this part, subject to the other limitations of this part.1January 1, 19781978-01-01January 1, 19781978-01-01

((b)) ** Retroactive assistance** The Attorney General shall (unless prospective assistance has been provided) provide retroactive assistance to a person eligible under this section for each month in which the person pursued a program of education at an eligible educational institution. The Attorney General shall apply the limitations contained in this part to retroactive assistance.

((c)) ** Prospective assistance** The Attorney General may provide prospective assistance to a person eligible under this section on the same basis as assistance to a person otherwise eligible. In applying the limitations on assistance under this part, the Attorney General shall include assistance provided retroactively. A person eligible under this section may waive retroactive assistance and apply only for prospective assistance on the same basis as a person otherwise eligible.