Scholarships, Grants, and Loans - Veteran Services

Sources of Funding for Veterans, Dependents/Spouses

All Branches

AFCEA Military Personnel/Dependents Scholarships:

The Educational Foundation offers several scholarships designated for military personnel. The common military personnel/dependents application allows students to be considered for all of the scholarships available (depending on eligibility) by filling out just one application.

American Legion Auxiliary:

Three scholarships are offered to residents meeting eligibility requirements. Each scholarship is $500.

The Medical Career Scholarship is available to students seeking a medical related career.
The Memorial Scholarship is for all other types of studies.
The Non-Traditional Scholarship is for students over the age of 22.

AMVETS National Service Foundation:

AMVETS annually awards scholarships to veterans, their sons, daughters or grandchildren. A son, daughter or grandchild of a deceased veteran is also eligible. Awarded on the basis of academic excellence and financial need, the scholarships go to deserving high school seniors, high school JROTC students and veterans pursuing a higher education. The following scholarships, funded by the AMVETS National Service Foundation, are awarded annually:

Six $4,000 scholarships for high school seniors (PDF) ($1,000 a year of a four-year undergraduate program or at an accredited technical/trade leading to certification or a degree; one selected from each district).
Three $4,000 scholarships for veterans (PDF) ($1,000 a year of a four-year undergraduate program or certification/degree from an accredited technical/trade school; no regard for district boundaries).
One $3,000 scholarship for veterans/guardsman/reservists (PDF) will be awarded nationwide per year, for the duration of the grant, without regard for district boundaries. The scholarship is for veterans, including members of the National Guard and Reserves, seeking new skills in order to be more competitive in the job market. The one time $3,000 award may be used for undergraduate courses, accredited degree or certificate programs, including online schools.
One $1,000 scholarship for a JROTC high school senior (PDF) entering any undergraduate programs (no regard for district boundaries).

In addition the University of Phoenix, Devry University, and Kaplan University also offer scholarships in affiliation with AMVETS. (Open: Deadline; April 15, 2011 [rolling scholarships]

AvScholars:

Provides a step-by-step guide on how to pay for your postsecondary education. It is divided into 4 Steps, each step is designed to help you with each phase of the scholarship search and application process

FAFSA:

If you are interested in Pell Grants, Federal Loans, and/or work study, fill out your FAFSA today!

Military.com Education:

Learn more about the education benefits the DoD, Dept. of VA, and each of the service's have to offer. Many now qualify for GI Bill ® ^[1] transferability also.

¹GI 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://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Moneygeek.com

Your status opens the way to many forms of financial aid and other resources uniquely available to veterans. Learn about various educational and career benefits and get tips on how to get them.

Reserve Education Benefits User's Guide:

In addition to tuition assistance you may be eligible for service specific education programs, scholarships, college funds, and other programs that can help you reach your education goals. This website details the specific education benefits available to you.

VFW Post 5855 Scholarship Fund:

The scholarships will be awarded twice a year for the amount of $500 each. The deadlines are: Fall - July 15, Spring - Oct 15. These scholarships will be a one-time per person and the monies will be sent to school's Financial Aid Dept. Scholarships will be awarded in September and January. The funds are to assist veterans with additional educational costs, such as, parking permits, books, lab fees and supplies and not for tuition.

Wyakin Warrior Foundation:

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for severely wounded veterans that includes a full ride scholarship, a multi-layered mentoring program (including national-level mentors for each student), an ongoing training/seminar series given by the country's leaders in business, industry and government, and robust networking to position them for a successful and rewarding career.

Dependents/Spouse:

AFCEA Military Personnel/Dependents Scholarships:

American Legion Legacy Scholarship:

Child/Children, or legally adopted child/children, of active duty United States military and Guard, and Reserve personnel who were federalized and died on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. The candidate must be a high school senior or high school graduate to apply for the scholarship. Scholarship is for undergraduate study at a U.S. school of higher education. The amount and number of awards depends upon the income derived from the trust. Scholarship recipients may reapply for the award.
(Opens January 1, Closed after postmark of April 15th)

AMVETS National Service Foundation:

Six $4,000 scholarships for high school seniors (PDF) ($1,000 a year of a four-year undergraduate program or at an accredited technical/trade leading to certification or a degree; one selected from each district).
Three $4,000 scholarships for veterans (PDF) ($1,000 a year of a four-year undergraduate program or certification/degree from an accredited technical/trade school; no regard for district boundaries).
One $3,000 scholarship for veterans/guardsman/reservists (PDF) will be awarded nationwide per year, for the duration of the grant, without regard for district boundaries. The scholarship is for veterans, including members of the National Guard and Reserves, seeking new skills in order to be more competitive in the job market. The one time $3,000 award may be used for undergraduate courses, accredited degree or certificate programs, including online schools.
One $1,000 scholarship for a JROTC high school senior (PDF) entering any undergraduate programs (no regard for district boundaries).
In addition the University of Phoenix, Devry University, and Kaplan University also offer scholarships in affiliation with AMVETS.
(Open: Deadline; April 15, 2011 [rolling scholarships]

FAFSA:

If you are interested in Pell Grants, Federal Loans, and/or work study, fill out your FAFSA today!

Guy M. Wilson Scholarship:

$500 Scholarship for Michigan's High School Sons, Daughters or Grandchild of Veterans Planning to Attend a Michigan College.

Military Officers Association of America Scholarship Fund:

Are you looking for additional sources of financial aid? MOAA offers scholarships and grants for students seeking undergraduate degrees. Find out how you can apply, or check out MOAA's Scholarship Finder for additional avenues for funding your undergraduate education.

Military Spouse and Family Educational Assistance Programs:

Learn more about the education benefits offered by various branches of the military.

Scholarships for Military Children Program:

Commissaries are an integral part of the quality of life offered to service members and their families. The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created in recognition of 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. It is the intent of the program that a scholarship funded through contributions be awarded annually for each commissary operated by the Defense Commissary Agency worldwide.

Special Operations Warrior Foundations:

Our guides describe how to apply for the SOWF and other available sources of grant money (not loans) available. During your senior year, you will receive your personal Student Handbook, which contains all application materials and instructions. It also explains the Warrior Foundation scholarship policy and rules.

VFW Voice of Democracy Program:

This is a national Audio-essay scholarship competition for 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders. Participants record their essays on an announced patriotic theme. A state winner is selected for national competition. Each state winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he/she competes for 56 national scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. Contact your school principal, counselor, local VFW Post or visit our website . Entries must be submitted ONLY to your local VFW Post or your high school.
(Deadline: November 1st)

William D. & Jewell Brewer Scholarship:

$500 scholarship for residents of Michigan who are a son, daughter or grandchild of a veteran planning to attend any recognized college or university.

Air Force

Air Force Association Scholarships:

Lists a number of opportunities including :

Michael Wilson Scholarship
Scholarship Pitsenbarger Awards
Lt. Col Romeo and Josephine Bass Ferretti
Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship
Spouse Scholarships
Full Scholarship to Grantham University

(Deadline: Varies)

Air Force ROTC:

Air Force ROTC is a college program offered at more than 1000 campuses across the country that prepares young men and women to become leaders in the Air Force. It is an opportunity to develop leadership skills and it is an opportunity to pay for school through scholarships with a guaranteed career after graduation!

Dependents/Spouse:

Air Force Association Scholarships:

Lists a number of opportunities including :

Michael Wilson Scholarship
Scholarship Pitsenbarger Awards
Lt Col Romeo and Josephine Bass Ferretti
Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship
Spouse Scholarships
Full Scholarship to Grantham University

(Deadline: Varies)

That Others May Live Foundation:

Provides 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.

Army

37th Division Veterans Association:: The 37th DVA offers an annual scholarship grant program. The purpose of the program is to provide funds from investments that will be used to assist veterans and descendants of veterans of the 37th Infantry Division (37th ID) in obtaining post-high school and advanced education by providing scholarships.
Army ROTC:: The U.S. Army's Reserve Officers' Training Corps is the most prevalent, accessible, and comprehensive leadership course you can take. With more than 1,600 Junior ROTC programs in high schools across America -- and Senior ROTC programs in more than 1,400 colleges and universities -- Army ROTC is the most leadership program going.

Dependents/Spouse:

37th Division Veterans Association:: The 37th DVA offers an annual scholarship grant program. The purpose of the program is to provide funds from investments that will be used to assist veterans and descendants of veterans of the 37th Infantry Division (37th ID) in obtaining post-high school and advanced education by providing scholarships.
Army Scholarship Foundation:: The Army Scholarship Foundation awards one-year financial scholarships (not grants or loans) on an annual basis to qualified and deserving students. 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. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic record and participation in school and community activities.
(Deadline: May 1st)
Army Women's Foundation:: The U.S. Army Women's Foundation is the premier center for educational excellence, the national network for today's Army women and a dynamic advocate for telling the history of Army women.