Scholarships for Veterans and Military Service Members
If you have served in the military or are currently serving, you likely qualify for financial aid specifically for the armed forces.
But your options aren’t limited to federal benefits, like the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Montgomery GI Bill. We compiled a list of scholarships and state-related educational benefits for eligible military members and veterans. Consult your school or state Veteran Affairs office website to see what you qualify for.
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Scholarships for Veterans and Active-Duty Military Students
These scholarships are for active-duty military members and veterans. Some scholarships are reserved for members of specific branches, and others are open for eligible members and their children and spouses.
Pat Tillman Scholar Program
Who Is Eligible: Veterans and active-duty members or their spouses pursuing a full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program
Application Deadline: Feb. 1
Scholarship Amount: Tuition, books, and living expenses
Army Nurse Corps Association Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Current or previously serving U.S. Army members enrolled in nursing programs who are not receiving U.S. Army funding including ROTC scholarships or full GI Bill benefits
Application Deadline: March 31
Scholarship Amount: $3,000
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Foundation Military Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Veterans and active-duty members or their spouses currently enrolled in a master’s-level counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Application Deadline: Jan. 31
Scholarship Amount: $8,000
AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Veterans and active-duty members currently enrolled full or part time in one of 28 eligible undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors at a four-year institution.
Application Deadline: May 1
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Marines’ Memorial Association Scholarships
Who Is Eligible: The Marines Memorial Association administers six scholarships for veterans, active military members, and their families with some scholarships being limited to certain branches of the military, majors, and other qualifications.
Application Deadline: March 29
Scholarship Amount: $2,500-$7,500
Dr. Aurelio M. Caccomo Memorial Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Veterans and National Guard or Reserves members with financial need pursuing an undergraduate degree.
Application Deadline: TBD
Scholarship Amount: $12,000
Fleet Reserve Association Education Foundation Scholarships
Who Is Eligible: U.S. Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard service members or veterans and their families. The Fleet Reserve Association has nine scholarships with different eligibility criteria.
Application Deadline: April 15
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000
Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Women soldiers who have served or are serving in the Army, Army Reserves, or Army National Guard and their descendants may apply for scholarships for certificate programs, undergraduate degrees, or graduate degrees.
Application Deadline: Jan. 21
Scholarship Amount: $2,000-$5,000
Imagine America Military Award Program
Who Is Eligible: Veterans and active-duty members demonstrating financial need and interested in trade school
Application Deadline: Varies
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Wings Over America Scholarships
Who Is Eligible: U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Aviation veterans and active-duty members’ spouses, children, and grandchildren
Application Deadline: March 1
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Council of College and Military Educators Veteran Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Veterans and active-duty service members or their spouses and children
Application Deadline: TBD
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Veterans and active-duty members who have completed basic training and follow-on training and have separated from the military with or currently hold a rank of E-5 or below
Application Deadline: April 30 for fall semester and Nov. 15 for spring semester
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000
Student Veterans of America Scholarships
Who Is Eligible: Veterans and active-duty members; varies by scholarship
Application Deadline: TBD
Scholarship Amount: $2,000-$10,000
Scholarships for Veterans With Disabilities
These scholarships are dedicated to providing financial aid to veterans who became disabled in combat and their spouses and children.
Graydon and Myrth Fox Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Wounded veterans and active-duty members, their spouses, children, or grandchildren
Application Deadline: March 13
Scholarship Amount: $1,000-$5,000
Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship Program
Who Is Eligible: Purple Heart recipients who are members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, their direct descendents, and spouses
Application Deadline: TBD
Scholarship Amount: Tuition, books, incidental fees, room and board, and other direct costs
Paralyzed Veterans of America Scholarship Program
Who Is Eligible: A PVA member, spouse, or unmarried dependent child under 24
Application Deadline: TBD
Scholarship Amount: TBD
Veterans United Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability, their spouses, or children
Application Deadline: TBD
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship Program
Who Is Eligible: Veterans or spouses or widows of a service-disabled veteran
Application Deadline: TBD
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000
Federal and State-Level Grants and Scholarships for Veterans and Active-Duty Military
As a veteran or active-duty military member you may qualify for a few federal grants through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) like the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill, which cover tuition.
You may also qualify for state-level grants and scholarships hosted by your state’s military department.
The American Legion has a list of state-sponsored grants and scholarships for eligible members. Scholarships can be for specific branches of the military, can depend on years served, and can serve veteran and active-military families. If you’re looking to maximize your financial aid, search your state’s VA office website for more information on scholarships and grants.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Military and Student Veterans
Yes, you can qualify for federal grants, scholarships, and loans each school year by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you’re active duty, you qualify for aid as an independent student. The FAFSA will take your yearly earnings into account to measure your Student Aid Index (SAI), not your parents’, if you’re under 24.
You can start filing the FAFSA as soon as Oct. 1 each year. Filing early typically increases your chances at better aid. Many aid programs give out funds on a first-come, first-served basis.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp.
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