.jpg)
High school years fly by, and for families facing the added pressure of college applications, the rising costs of education can be daunting. Although military families may benefit from transferred GI Bill benefits, there’s often still a need to find additional funding sources to cover college expenses. Scholarships can be a valuable resource in this regard.
Military children face unique challenges due to frequent relocations and educational disruptions. Thankfully, several organizations offer scholarships for these students to help alleviate some of the financial burdens. Most of these scholarships have deadlines in the spring, so it’s important to start researching and preparing applications early. Many require basic information and essays, which can be a significant part of the application process. By starting now, families can ensure they meet all deadlines and increase their chances of securing additional financial support for college.
AMVETS (American Veterans) offers a variety of scholarships to support the educational aspirations of military family members and veterans. Their scholarship program includes awards for high school seniors, current college students, and veterans pursuing higher education. The AMVETS Scholarships aim to assist those who have demonstrated academic excellence, community involvement, and financial need. Available scholarships include the AMVETS National Scholarship, which provides funding for undergraduate studies, and the AMVETS Post Scholarship, which supports students at the local level. Additionally, AMVETS offers the Americanism Essay Contest Scholarship, encouraging students to reflect on patriotic themes. By providing these scholarships, AMVETS helps ease the financial challenges of pursuing higher education and recognizes the contributions and sacrifices of military families.
Fisher House Foundation – Scholarships of the 2025-2026 academic year open in December
The Fisher House Foundation offers multiple scholarships. The Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship is a college scholarship for children of service members who became seriously injured or died in the line of duty since 9/11. The Scholarships for Military Children is a program through the Defense Commissary Agency providing $2,000 for college expenses. These initiatives provide financial assistance to the children of military service members, aiming to support their pursuit of higher education. To qualify, applicants must be dependent children of active-duty, reserve, or retired military personnel, and they need to demonstrate academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need. The scholarship application process typically includes submitting an essay, letters of recommendation, and academic transcripts. By offering these scholarships, the Fisher House Foundation helps ease the financial burden of college tuition for military families, recognizing their service and dedication with tangible support for their children’s educational aspirations.
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Scholarship Fund offers a variety of interest-free loans, and grants to children of military personnel. These awards are based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and financial need.
The Pat Tillman Foundation offers prestigious scholarships through its Tillman Scholars Program, specifically designed to support the educational goals of military families and children. Established in honor of Pat Tillman, the foundation provides financial aid to veterans, active-duty service members, and their dependents who are pursuing higher education. The Tillman Scholars Program awards scholarships based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to service. Applicants must demonstrate a strong record of community involvement and a clear vision for their future impact. By offering these scholarships, the Pat Tillman Foundation honors the legacy of Pat Tillman and helps military families and children achieve their educational and career objectives, empowering them to make meaningful contributions to society.
Each service branch offers scholarships within their service. The Army Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to children of current or former U.S. Army service members, including active duty, veterans, and retired personnel. The scholarships support undergraduate education and are awarded based on academic performance and community service. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Program offers interest-free loans and scholarships to children of active duty, retired, or deceased members of the Navy or Marine Corps. The awards are based on financial need and academic merit. The Air Force Aid Society General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant provides need-based scholarships to children of active duty, retired, or deceased Air Force members. It is named after General Henry H. Arnold, the first Chief of the Air Corps. The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to children of active duty or veteran U.S. Marines, with a focus on those who have demonstrated financial need and academic achievement. The foundation also offers special scholarships for children of Marines who have been wounded or killed in action.
Veterans United offers a scholarship program dedicated to supporting the educational dreams of military families. The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship is specifically aimed at assisting the spouses, children, and surviving family members of veterans and active-duty service members. These scholarships are awarded based on a combination of academic achievement, community involvement, and the demonstration of financial need. Applicants are encouraged to share their personal stories, highlighting how their military family’s experience has shaped their educational and career aspirations.
There are numerous scholarships available specifically for military children, each designed to support their unique educational journeys. To find the best opportunities for your student, research scholarships that align with your specific situation by exploring the military scholarship database, where you can discover various scholarships tailored to meet the needs of military families.
