If you are currently serving in the military or are a veteran, there are various financial scholarships and grants that you may qualify for. These can assist you in paying for your college tuition and related expenses. Additionally, your spouse, children, parent, or spouse (depending on the specific criteria) may also be eligible for assistance.
Numerous organizations provide military grants and scholarships. For instance, you might be eligible for financial aid through federal government programs like the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Nonprofit veterans’ service organizations like the Pat Tillman Foundation also offer assistance. Some educational institutions, including National University, provide direct financial aid options like the Opportunity Scholarship.
This guide aims to help you discover sources of financial aid for both you and your family members. It covers federal aid programs, veterans’ organizations, and other resources. You will find information about grants available for military spouses, VA education benefits, ROTC scholarships, scholarships specifically for women in the military, aid for military families and children, as well as other scholarship foundations and resources.
Understanding Veterans’ Education Benefits
There are two primary forms of educational assistance available for military veterans: 1) public aid and 2) private aid. Public assistance encompasses scholarships, guaranteed benefits, grants, and government loans, and it is typically based on either military service or financial need. On the other hand, private aid can also be based on military service or financial need. When considering the range of benefits offered, it is important to keep the following points in mind:
Service-based aid generally necessitates a specific period of time served in one of the branches of the United States military, typically three years. Private aid typically requires an honorable retirement from military service. Service-based aid or scholarships are generally accessible to applicants irrespective of their financial situation.
Need-based aid typically requires a specific duration of service, an honorable discharge, or retirement from one of the branches of the United States military, as well as a demonstration of financial need.
Public aid can generally be classified into guaranteed-earned benefits and non-guaranteed aid. Non-guaranteed aid includes scholarships and grants, and obtaining these public scholarships and grants can involve some level of competition. Private scholarships are also competitive.
Partial Scholarships For Military Veterans
Service Grant For Afghanistan And Iraq:
If you are the child of a former service member who died while serving in the U.S. military in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11, there is a possibility that you may be eligible for federal aid. To qualify, you need to meet certain additional requirements, such as being 23 years old or younger at the time of your parent’s death. Here are two examples of federal grants available to eligible family members of Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan: Pell Grants and other service grants.
Pell Grants: If the aforementioned criteria apply to you, you might qualify for an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero. This designation enhances your eligibility not only for federal Pell Grants but also for other types of federal financial aid for students. To find out more about Pell Grants and determine your eligibility, feel free to ask our admissions counselors, or learn about the qualifications and workings of Pell Grants on your own.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants: If you meet the criteria mentioned earlier but do not qualify for a Pell Grant due to your Expected Family Contribution, you may consider Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants as an alternative source of federal assistance.
Scholarship Program For Army ROTC:
As per the official Army ROTC website, high school students who apply for ROTC can receive scholarships that cover the complete tuition expenses, along with additional funding for personal expenses and books. This implies that you have the potential to save up to $1,200 each year on books, $420 per month for personal expenses, and receive complete coverage for tuition and fees.
Program For Scholarships In Air Force ROTC:
The AFROTC program provides an assortment of scholarships, catering to high school students, current college students, and enlisted airmen. You can delve into AFROTC scholarships to thoroughly examine the criteria for eligibility and the specific requirements for the application process.
Scholarship Program For The Marine Corps:
The Navy ROTC Marine Option Scholarship, also known as the NROTC Marine Option Scholarship, is a demanding program that mandates participants to spend six weeks at Officer Candidates School in Quantico, VA. Moreover, students are required to take classes in Naval Science and other military subjects. To obtain further information about the NROTC Marine Option Scholarship or to discover other scholarships available for Marines, please explore the provided resources.
Foreign War Veterans (VFW):
The VFW, also known as Veterans of Foreign Wars, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving Veterans and military personnel from the active, guard, and reserve forces. In addition to various programs and services aimed at supporting Veterans, such as aid with VA claims and separation benefits, the VFW also provides financial grants and support for student Veterans.
One of these grants is the Unmet Needs Program, which offers assistance of up to $1,500 to fulfill essential life needs. Another program, the Help A Hero Scholarship, grants eligible students up to $5,000 in financial support.
Veterans Of America (AMVETS):
Founded in 1944, AMVETS (American Veterans) is a nonprofit organization recognized as a 501(c)3, which functions across the United States with the primary objective of providing extensive support to each new generation of Veterans and their families. They offer a wide range of services and programs, including numerous scholarships, aiming to cater to the diverse needs of the Veterans. Some examples of the military grants and scholarships provided by AMVETS are the Lowe’s + AMVETS Generation T Scholarship, the Lowe’s + AMVETS Veteranpreneur Business Grant, the Dr. Aurelio M. Caccomo Family Foundation Memorial Scholarship, as well as various scholarships designated for children, grandchildren, and spouses of Veterans.
Foundation For Army Scholarships:
The Army Scholarship Foundation offers opportunities to eligible undergraduate students who are the children of active duty, reserve, or National Guard U.S. Army members, as well as spouses and children of former U.S. Army members who were honorably discharged, medically discharged, or lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Army.
Foundation For The Children Of Fallen Patriots:
The Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation’s website states that their objective is to offer educational guidance and financial aid to children of military personnel who have lost a parent while serving their duty. Their scholarship program encompasses various expenses such as tuition, accommodation, books, fees, living costs, and includes a computer stipend of $1,000. There are no limits on the funding provided to eligible students (as of September 2022). To initiate the application process, enroll a student.
Foundation For Army Women:
The Army Women’s Foundation, located in Fort Lee, Virginia, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of women serving in the U.S. Army. They offer a range of scholarship programs for eligible students. Some examples of the scholarships provided by AWF as of September 2022 include the Six Triple Eight Legacy Scholarship and scholarships specifically designed for international students.
These AWF scholarships are open to both undergraduate and graduate students who meet the eligibility criteria. Successful applicants can receive an annual award of up to $2,500.
Conclusion:
Numerous scholarship options exist for veterans and their families, spanning various sources such as government entities, private companies, veteran organizations, and educational institutions. These entities are committed to supporting veterans and their families in their educational endeavors.
When choosing scholarships, it is important to confirm that the funds can be utilized for graduate studies. Numerous scholarships and grants are specifically intended for undergraduate programs. The scholarship details or application typically specify the conditions and timing regarding the utilization of the awarded funds.
