High school years go by quickly, and if college applications are on your to-do list, there is an added shock added to the cost of a college education. While military families may have transferred GI benefits for their military children, there is still a need and desire to cover college costs as much as possible. Enter scholarship applications.
It isn’t a secret among military families that military children face unique challenges through their education. There are several organizations that offer scholarships to military children specifically. Due dates are typically in the spring, so get looking now to plan out the timing for the applications. Many require essays in addition to basic information.
American Legion
The American Legion’s Legacy Scholarship is for children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active service or those who have a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater. The application period is open from January 1 to April 30th.
Amvets
High school seniors military dependents are invited to apply to the AMVETS scholarship once enrolled for an eligible undergraduate degree, demonstrate financial need, submit a resume and essay. The window for application is January 15th through April 30th. Read more about the scholarship here.
Corvias Foundation Scholarship
Children of active-duty service members planning to attend a four-year college or university can apply to the Corvias Foundation Scholarship for up to $12,500 per year for up to two years. The initial application closes on February 15th, 2022, while additional information will be requested from semi-finalists in March of 2022.
Fisher House
In partnership with Commissary business partners, 500 scholarships of $2,000 each will be given out this year. Eligibility is determined using the DEERS database, so military dependents should be registered in the DEERS system. The applicant must be planning to or already attending a college or university full time for the fall of the year applying. High school applicants must have maintained a 3.0 GPA and college applicants must have a minimum of 2.5 GPA. Apply through the Fisher House website here including a 500-word essay, transcripts, and proof of eligibility. The application deadline is February 17th of 2022.
Another scholarship program through Fisher House is the Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship which is open to dependents whose military parent died or became disabled while on active service. High school applicants must have maintained a 3.0 GPA and college applicants must have a minimum of 2.5 GPA. The submission includes documentation of transcripts and sponsors information including application here. The application deadline is February 17th of 2022.
Service Dependent Scholarships
Each branch of service has scholarships for their dependents. For example, the AFAS General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program offers a scholarship to eligible Air Force Dependents, ranging from $500 to $4,000. For family members of active duty, retired and honorably discharged Surface Navy personnel, the Anchor Scholarship can be applied to tuition and tuition-related expenses. The Marine Corps Foundation offers scholarships to children of active duty or reserve or veteran Marine who was honorably discharged or died on active service; additionally, U.S. Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit could also apply. The Navy Wives Clubs of America has a scholarship for children of active duty or retired enlisted members of the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. The Tailhook Education Foundation offers scholarships to high school graduates and children or grandchildren of current or former Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer or Air-crewman or those service members who served on board a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Relatives of US Navy Chief Petty Officers who meet the eligibility can apply for Chief Petty Officer Scholarships.
Military Child of the Year
While not just for high school students, Operation Homefront’s award is awarded to children ages 13 to 18, with eight children chosen to represent all the branches of the armed forces.
Military Housing
If you are living on base or post, check to see if your military housing offers a scholarship to military families on the base. Each company may have different rules on how long or often you can use the scholarship, but every little bit helps when you are talking about college expenses!
Military Spouse Organizations
No matter where you live, check with the spouse organizations on your base or installation to see if they offer scholarships. Eligibility is typically for children of active duty service members who are currently serving abord the installation that the military spouse group is associated with, but some do allow for children of military retirees in the area to also apply. Some do not have a known dollar amount listed as it is based on funding raised throughout the year, but any amount of money is an added bonus, right?
Veterans United
The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship offers scholarships by semester for those pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, graduate, post-graduate or doctoral degree. Further eligibility and application criteria can be found on their website.
Have a scholarship to share, please let us know!
Are grandchildren of retired military eligible to apply for scholarships?
Hello Heather. My name is Francis Molinari, retired Navy veteran (28 years) and co-founder of the Orion Military Scholarship Fund. Orion is focused on offering scholarships to kids of active component military to attend select boarding schools around the country, thereby allowing a 4 year stable high school education at some of the finest schools in the country. The Orion website is here. https://www.orionmilitary.org
I’d be interested in scheduling a call with you to tell you more about it.