Scholarships
Academic Top Scholars (ATS) by ThanksUSA
Accessible to all dependent children, age 24 and under, and all spouses of Active-Duty U.S. military Service Members are eligible to apply for scholarships. Recipients come from all 50 states and the District of Columbia and represent all military branches including the Guard and Reserves.
Air Force Aid Society General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program
Provides grants ranging from $500-$2,000 to eligible Air Force and Space Force dependents each year. Must be dependents of active duty, Title 10 AGR/Reserve, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired Reserve and deceased Air Force or Space Force members. Spouses of active duty, Title 10 Reservists, Title 32 Guard performing full-time active duty, and widows/widowers are eligible as well.
Established to provide college education and welfare assistance to the surviving children of military heroes who have already given their lives in patriotic service to their country fighting our nation’s war against terrorism as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the Philippines, Operation Iraqi Freedom or future conflicts.
Provides college funding to children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active duty, or those who have a combined VA disability rating of 50% or greater. Application period January 1 – April 1.
American States Utility Services, Inc. (ASUS, Inc.) Scholarship
American States Utility Services, Inc. and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries (ASUS, Inc.) has established a scholarship program to assist dependent children of active, full-time U.S. military members and dependent children of honorably discharged veterans at ASUS-served locations who are current high school seniors, graduates or current undergraduates planning to continue their education in college or vocational school programs in the fields of environmental science, technology, environmental engineering, biology, chemistry, medical sciences, mathematical sciences, business management or acquisition and contract management. Seven annual awards in the amount of $10,000.
AMVETS Children/Grandchildren Scholarships
This application is specific to graduating high school seniors (child or grandchild) of an Honorably Served Veterans, Active Duty and Guard/Reserves.
AMVETS National Service Foundation offers three (3) $4,000 scholarships and one (1) $1,000 scholarship* to deserving graduating high school seniors (child or grandchild) of an Honorably Served Veteran or Active-Duty members. The applicants must meet all requirements, provide proper documentation, and use the funds towards a full-time study at either an undergraduate college or university in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Funds will be distributed in $1,000 increments within a 4-year period.
Anchor Endowed and Administered Scholarships
Anchor Scholarship Foundation is proud to be able to offer five (5) different endowed scholarships; each with its own eligibility criteria. The Anchor Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to eligible family members (children and spouses) of active duty, retired, and honorably discharged Surface Navy personnel. Sponsor qualification and time in command(s) varies. Funds may be used for tuition only at an accredited two (2), or four (4) year or Industry Certification program in the United States for first time Associate, Bachelor's, Graduate (spouse only) degrees, or Industry Certification (child dependent only). There are dozens of endowed and administered scholarships available, some of them renewable. Award amounts range from $2,500 to $20,000. Recipients will be selected based on four equally weighted criteria: academic performance, character, extracurricular, and financial need.
Deadline: March 1, 2024 Amount: up to $20,000 Awards: 50
Armed Forces Crossroads Scholarships for Military Children
Offered to college-bound military children at installations served by a commissary. Open to qualified sons and daughters of U.S. military ID card holders to include active-duty members, Reserve and Guard members, and retirees.
Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Scholarships
For college-level education of members of the AAAA, and the spouses, unmarried siblings, unmarried children and unmarried grandchildren of current and deceased AAAA members.
Army Emergency Relief: Maj. General James Ursano Scholarship
The Program is for dependent children of Service Members on federal active duty, retired, or deceased while in active or retired status. Students must reapply each year and are eligible to receive funds for up to four academic years of full-time enrollment.
Army Nurse Corps Association Scholarship
This supports students earning degrees in nursing without funding from any component of the U.S. Army. Learners enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs in nursing or nurse anesthesia may apply. Eligibility extends to the children, spouses, and parents of service members in the U.S. Army.
Deadline: March 31, 2024 Amount: up to $3,000 Awards: varies
Awards one-year financial scholarships (not grants or loans) on an annual basis to qualified and deserving students on the basis of academic record and participation in school and community activities. The amount of award ranges from $500 to $2000 for undergraduate studies at accredited educational/technical institutions. Scholarship recipients may apply to renew their scholarships annually for a total of four years of higher education. Renewal is not automatic but depends on academic performance and continued academic eligibility.
Army Women’s Foundation Scholarships
The program provides grants to women soldiers, past and present, and their lineal descendants to help them attain their educational goals. The AWF Legacy Scholarship Program offers financial support in four areas: Certificate Programs, Community College coursework, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees. Scholarships are awarded only for coursework from accredited institutions. Certificate Programs and Community College coursework scholarships are awarded for $1,000. Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Program scholarships are awarded in the amounts of $2,500 and $3,000.
Deadline: January 21, 2025 Amount: see notes above Awards: varies
Brown Hudner Navy Scholarship Foundation
The Foundation aims to honor Navy Sailors by providing post-secondary scholarship support to their children. An applicant must; be a child of an active duty, reserve, honorably discharged, or fallen U.S. Navy Sailor; have a GPA of at least 2.0 (cumulative and unweighted on a 4.0 scale); have a family adjusted gross income less than the limit based on the annual Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy’s salary; and be planning to pursue a STEM or health science degree and attend an accredited undergraduate college or career training school in the upcoming academic year. Each scholarship recipient is eligible for four paid awards, and awards do not need to be awarded in consecutive years.
Not accepting new applications for 2024; only renewal applications considered.
Chief Petty Officer Scholarship Fund
For qualified family members of Chief Petty Officers including spouses and children (natural born, adopted or stepchildren). Annual award in the amount of $2,000; number of awards varies by year.
Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation
Providing college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in combat or accidents. Our vision is that every such child can have a debt-free college education.
Deadline: varies Amount: up to $6,250 Awards: varies
Coast Guard Exchange System Scholarship Program
Scholarships to students who are dependents of Coast Guard active duty, reserve, and military retired members, current civilian NAF and APF employees, and current Coast Guard Auxiliarists that meet eligibility requirements. Collects and disburses donations in support of Service Members and their Families in need, including assistance with airfare, special medical attention, college tuition for the children of Service Members and more.
Dolphin Scholarship Foundation
Grants are available, on a competitive basis, to high school or college children or stepchildren (unmarried, under age 24 at time of deadline) of: (1) members or former members of the Submarine Force who have qualified in submarines and have served in the Submarine Force for at least eight years; or of (2) Navy members who have served in submarine support activities (e.g., submarine bases, tenders, and rescue vessels) for a minimum of ten years. Each recipient may potentially receive a total of $16,000 for up to eight semesters of undergraduate study.
Deadline: March 15, 2024 Amount: $16,000 Awards: 113
Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Memorial Scholarship (STEM)
Scholarship will be awarded to daughters of Air Force members pursuing a bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Education, or Mathematics (STEM) field. Dependents may be of currently serving, retired, or deceased Air Force members. The award will total $20,000 payable in four annual installments of $5,000 each.
The scholarship is open to any high school or college student who is a son or daughter of a Guardsman killed in an operational or training mission in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom or New Dawn.
Fallen Heroes Children's Education Fund
This education fund will be used to provide funding for education accounts set-up in the names of the children of Minnesota’s fallen soldiers. Eligible children are those surviving sons and daughters, including step-children, of fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq. There are no other qualifications necessary and no application process.
Fisher House Foundation Scholarship Programs
Open to sons and daughters of active duty, reserve/guard, or retired military commissary customers. Five hundred scholarship grants, each for $2,000, will be awarded for the academic school year. *See Scholarships for Military Children below.
Deadline: February 14, 2024 Amount: $2,000 Awards: 500
The Folded Flag Foundation offers scholarships to qualifying spouses of fallen heroes and their children. The College or Technical/Trade School Scholarship is for college-bound spouses and their children (this includes undergraduate degrees, graduate programs and trade/vocational schools), and it covers tuition and fees, books, computers, living expenses (to include child care for students with young children), tutoring, test preparation services and career preparation expenses (internships, resume writing workshops, interview preparation training, etc.). The Foundation also accepts applications for summer activities or summer school, limited to three in-person activities. These do not impact fall/spring awards.
Deadline: mid-April 2024 Amount: up to $2,500 Awards: 500
Folds of Honor Foundation (FHF)
Provides post-secondary educational scholarships to the spouses and children of Service Members disabled or killed as a result of their military service to our great nation. Can be applied to schooling now or held by Folds of Honor on behalf of young children until needed at the time of enrollment.
Deadline: March 31, 2024 Amount: $5,000 Awards: varies
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
Students are eligible if they are the dependent child of an active-duty Service Member who was killed or permanently disabled (100%) rating as the result of an operational mission or training accident, or who is currently certified as POW or MIA. Applicants may also be the dependent of military personnel who were awarded the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Force Cross, or the Coast Guard Cross.
Gilman-McCain Scholarship Eligibility & Application
The John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) provides awards of $5,000 for child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application. Must be a recipient of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or during the time of study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.
Gold Star Mission Education Scholarship
The Gold Star Mission seeks to honor and support Gold Star Families by preserving the memory of our Fallen Heroes through service to others. The Gold Star Mission is proud to offer scholarships to ALL who are seeking higher education, whether it be an undergraduate degree, a certificate, or a trades/technical certification. To apply for a Gold Star Mission Educational Scholarship, applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or certificate granting institution (such as vocational school).
Deadline: February 1, 2024 Amount: $1,000 Awards: 1
Open to dependent unmarried children under age 23 of active-duty personnel, Reserve/Guard OR those who have died or have become disabled through their active military service on or after September 11, 2001.
For children and grandchildren of former members of the Division as well as children of active-duty 1st Infantry Division Service Members. If your accredited school is less than the scholarship amount you will only receive up to your tuition cost. Awards are up to $15,000 payable to the school in four installments of not more than $3,750/year.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
A student who is not eligible for a Pell Grant but whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. Enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death.
John A. Keller Scholarships - CWOA
The Chief Warrant Officer John A. Keller-CWOA Scholarship is available to dependents of members in good standing of the Chief Warrant Officers Association. You must be a high school senior or a current undergraduate student with a minimum “C” grade average to qualify for this award. You must also be a full-time student to be considered.
John C. and Blanche Lee Lindsay Memorial Scholarship (STEM)
The scholarship was established for children of members of the United States Air Force who are pursuing a college degree. Parent or legal guardian of the applicant must be Active Duty, veteran, or retired service members, reservists, or National Guard members of the United States Air Force. A minimum of one scholarship in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded annually.
Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association
Helping deserving students reach their educational and professional goals for decades, presenting annual awards of up to $5,000 to individuals pursuing college and graduate degrees.
Lt. Col. Romeo and Josephine Bass Ferretti Scholarship (STEM)
This Scholarship was established for minor dependents of active duty or retired Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and Space Force enlisted Airmen and Guardians. It is for students pursuing an undergraduate degree in the area of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). One annual award of $5,000.
Marine Corps – Law Enforcement Foundation, Inc.
Assistance primarily rendered to children of Marines or Federal law enforcement personnel who were killed on duty or died under extraordinary circumstances while serving our country at home or abroad. These funds enable us to provide these children with scholarships for their higher education. When a child of a United States Marine is afflicted with a physical or mental disability and requires special medical equipment or tutoring, our Foundation may grant financial assistance to that Family if their personal insurance does not cover the complete cost of treatment for this child.
Marine Corps League Scholarship Program
Over three hundred scholarship grants are given annually to applicants. The foundation has started a blocked scholarship fund to build a trust to assist in the funding of its regular scholarship program. Scholarships are applied for and awarded by the Marine Corps League Scholarship Committee using applications and standards developed by that committee. Eligible applicants are children of United States Marines, Navy FMF Corpsman, and Navy Chaplains (Serving with Marine Units) who were killed in action, or paid members of the Marine Corps League or paid members of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary in good standing.
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
Applicants for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation must be the child of an active duty or reserve U.S. Marine, a veteran U.S. Marine who has received an honorable discharge, or who was killed while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Children of U.S. Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, or Religious Programs Specialists attached to a Marine unit may also qualify. Minimum 2.0 GPA. Applicants must be planning to attend an accredited undergraduate college or career technical education (CTE) in the upcoming academic year. All who qualify and submit a completed application will receive an award. Award amounts range and are renewable. Part-time students are also eligible to receive a scholarship.
Deadline: March 1, 2024 Amount: $40,000 Awards: varies
Military Commanders Scholarship
This program is open to children of Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and retired members of the U.S. military. Applicants must be high school seniors or graduates who plan to enroll full time as entering freshmen at an accredited 2 or 4-year college or university. They must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship
Available to the recipient of a Purple Heart; a direct descendant of a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart or of a Veteran killed in action or who died of wounds; or a spouse or widow(er) of a recipient of the Purple Heart.
National Guard Educational Foundation (NGEF)
NGEF, DRS Technologies Create College Scholarship for Children of Fallen National Guardsmen: The National Guard Educational Foundation (NGEF) created a college scholarship fund for the children of more than 650 National Guardsmen killed in the war on terrorism. DRS Technologies, Inc. of Parsippany, N.J., will provide up to $6,250 per year to selected students attending a four-year institution or a two-year program at a community college or technical school.
Navy League of the United States
Currently, the Navy League Foundation has a total of 25 endowed scholarships. Navy League Councils across the United States provide additional scholarships to students and Sea Cadets in their cities and regions. These are awarded to high school seniors who will attend college in the fall; scholarships are available to children and grandchildren of veterans or active-duty sea service men and women, as well as member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.
Deadline: March 15, 2024 Amount: $10,000 Awards: 27
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)
The NMCRS Education Assistance Program is designed to help eligible Navy and Marine Corps families pursue their academic goals by providing scholarships and interest-free loans. Eligible applicants must be a child (under age 23 on September 30, 2023) of an active duty, retired or deceased Sailor or Marine, spouse of an active duty or retired Sailor or Marine, or MECEP/MECP student. Full or part-time programs in career and technical education, associates, bachelors, or masters (spouses only).
Navy Wives Clubs of America, Inc. - Scholarship Foundation
Up to thirty (30) scholarships granted annually in the amount of $1,500. The grants are presented with the knowledge that no repayment is expected from the recipient. Those eligible for the grants are the natural born, legally adopted or stepson or daughter of an Enlisted member of the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard on active duty, or retired with pay or the son or daughter of a deceased member of these categories.
Operation Second Chance Scholarship
This scholarship is offered to unmarried, dependent children of deceased, wounded, injured, or ill veterans in their senior year of high school. The dependent child must be seeking an advanced degree from an accredited college or a certification from an accredited vocational or technical institution. The sponsoring veteran is required to have a VA disability combat related rating of 70% or higher or deceased from injuries related to combat deployment.
Deadline: April 30, 2024 Amount: $3,500 Awards: 10
A PVA member, the spouse of a member, or an unmarried child (under 24 years of age) who is dependent (as defined by the IRS) on the member for principal support. Scholarships in the amount of $2,500 are awarded to full-time students and $1,000 to part-time students.
Provides post-secondary educational scholarships into an undergraduate program or vocational institution for unmarried dependent children of a service-disabled veteran with a rating of 10% or higher. Must be age 23 or under as of April 30th of the current application year. Scholarships are for the current academic year only and are sent directly to the school to be applied to tuition, fees, books, supplies and on-campus housing.
Scholarships for Military Children
Five hundred (500) scholarship grants, each for $2,000, will be awarded for the school year 2024-2025. The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created to recognize the contributions of military Families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military Family community. If your mother or father is active duty, reserve/guard, or retired military personnel or you are the survivor of a deceased member, and you have a military dependent I.D. card you can apply! You must be planning to attend a college or university on a full-time basis.
Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded for accredited four-year bachelor's degrees, two-year associates degrees or Career & Technical Education (CTE) degrees (12-18 month career and technical education programs). Scholarships are not offered for graduate school, part-time programs or great-grandchildren. Scholarships are awarded to the children and grandchildren of a Seabee or Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) Officer. The basis of award is leadership, good citizenship, character, financial need and scholastic record. Twenty-five (25) scholarships are awarded annually in the amount of $3500. This year's submission deadline is April 21, 2024.
Special Operations Warrior Foundation
Special Operations Warrior Foundation ensures each student has the resources to attend the best college for which he or she qualifies. Our scholarships are grants, not loans, and can be used at four-year private and public schools, and two-year community colleges, vocational-technical training, and career institutions.
Must be a high school graduate and the natural, step, or adopted son, daughter, or grandchild of a current or former Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer, or Naval Aircrewman accepted for undergraduate enrollment at an accredited college. Also eligible are individuals or children of individuals who are serving or have served on board a U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier in ship’s company or the air wings. The Foundation awards over 100 scholarships annually averaging more than $3,500 per grant, with a top grant awarded at $15,000. Many are awarded to those students pursuing STEM curriculum.
That Others May Live Scholarships
Scholarships, Family counseling, and aid to surviving children of United States Air Force (USAF) Rescue Heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice during a Rescue mission, training, or other Personnel Recovery (PR) collateral mission. Merit Scholarships are awarded to children and grandchildren of United States Air Force Air Rescue personnel who plan to attend a trade school or college upon high school graduation.
All dependent children, age 24 and under (as of the application deadline), and all spouses of active-duty U.S. military service personnel are eligible to apply for scholarships with ThanksUSA®.
ThanksUSA® - Mrs. Mary Jo Myers Scholarship Fund
The Mrs. Mary Jo Myers Scholarship Fund awards scholarships as a tribute to Mrs. Myers' dedication to public service, and as a military spouse for more than 40 years. The scholarships benefit military spouses and children interested in pursuing careers in teaching, social work, law enforcement, and other public service fields.
Veterans and Families Scholarship for a Bright Future
The Scholarship gives preference to military veterans and their families. The scholarship supports students pursuing a degree in education or S.T.E.A.M. For A Bright Future provides annual scholarships to underserved students with outstanding achievement and the drive to pursue higher education in select fields. Students have the opportunity to receive one scholarship per year. The average award amount is $2,500, with a maximum amount of $10,000.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - Youth Scholarships
The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to receive a national first place award of $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000.
Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation
To provide college scholarships to dependent children and spouses of all US Navy – officer and enlisted – active duty, retired or deceased who served within Naval Air Forces. Scholarships may be used for trade school certification, community college or four-year university/college undergraduate study. Recipients must be enrolled in an accredited institution or plan to be a full-time student taking a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Fifty (50) awards are given annually with most in the amount of $5,000; many are renewable.
Women Marines Association Scholarship (WMA)
Awarded scholarships can range from $500 to $5000 and varies based on the number of applicants and funds available. The goal is to support qualified applicants with the opportunity to attend an accredited college, university, or college-level trade school to pursue career aspirations and eliminate financial barriers to achieving success. Open to active duty, veteran women, spouses, or children. There are nine (9) current WMA scholarships and applicants must satisfy defined criteria, complete the application within the appropriate time frame (February 1 through March 31) to be considered.
Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association Scholarship
Established to recognize relatives of Army Service Women. This scholarship is based upon academic achievement and leadership as expressed through co-curricular activities and community involvement. The scholarship is open to the children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of Army Women who will be enrolling full-time in an accredited U.S. college or university in pursuit of a degree course of study. A $1,500 scholarship will be given annually.
The 9/11 Promise Run is dedicated to offering scholarships to deserving children of first responders and military service members who have endured loss or injury, rendering them unable to pursue employment. Currently enrolled at or accepted to pursue trade, undergraduate, or graduate studies at an accredited trade school, college, or university. Award amount between $5,000-$15,000.