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Military & Veteran College Scholarships and Grants Finder

Updated | Hannah Heine
military and veteran scholarships to apply for

Finding College Scholarships and Grants for Military

CollegeRecon researches and presents to you every military scholarship, grant, and funding opportunity we can find. If the information is not clear, we reach out to the organization sponsoring the scholarships for veterans and get clarification.

You deserve every funding opportunity to accomplish your education and career goals. To take things a step further, CollegeRecon offers a unique Scholarship Finder Tool that can help you find all the scholarships available to you.

Scholarships by Military Branch

Scholarship Type

Award Amounts

Number

Army Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships and grants for Army service members, veterans, and their families

 Up to Full Tuition 15+ Learn more

Marine Corps Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants for Marine Corps service members, veterans, and their families

 Up to Full Tuition 18 Learn more

Navy Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants for Marine Corps service members, veterans, and their families

 Up to Full Tuition 4 Learn more

Air Force Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants for Air Force service members, veterans, and their families

 Up to Full Tuition 7+ Learn more

Coast Guard Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants for Coast Guard members, veterans, and and their families

 Up to Full Tuition 11 Learn more

Space Force Scholarship

Please see Air Force Scholarships.

 TBD TBD TBD

 

>> Find scholarships for military, veterans, spouses, and dependents with our Scholarship Finder tool

 

Scholarships for Women

Scholarship Type

Award Amounts

Number

Scholarships for Female Veterans

Scholarships and grants for females service members and veterans

 Up to $5,000 15 Learn more

Scholarships for Women in STEM

Scholarships and grants for women looking to pursue education in STEM

 Up to Full Tuition 10 Learn more

10 Scholarships for Women

Scholarships and grants for women

 Up to $50,000 9 Learn more

 

>> Find scholarships for military, veterans, spouses, and dependents with our Scholarship Finder tool

Scholarships for Disabled Veterans

Scholarship Type

Award Amounts

Number

Scholarships for Disabled Veterans and Their Dependents

Scholarships and grants for disabled service members and their dependents

 Full Tuition 10 Learn more

Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

Scholarships and grants for females service members and veterans

 $10,000 15 Learn more

 

>> Find scholarships for military, veterans, spouses, and dependents with our Scholarship Finder tool

 

Scholarships for Military Spouses and Dependents

Scholarship Type

Award Amounts

Number

Military Scholarships for Military Spouses

Scholarships and grants for military and veteran spouses

 $50,000 13+ Learn more

College Scholarships and Grants for Children of Veterans

Scholarships and grants for dependent children of military & veterans

 $50,000 12+ Learn more

Scholarships for Gold Star Families

Scholarships and grants for spouses and dependents for Gold Star Families

 Full Tuition 11 Learn more

Army Emergency Relief Scholarship

Scholarships and grants for dependent children of military & veterans

 varies mulitple Learn more

MYCAA: Scholarship for Military Spouses

Scholarships for spouses of active military

 Up to $4,000 over 2 years multiple Learn more

Scholarships for Dependents of Disabled Veterans

Scholarships and grants for disabled service members and their dependents

 $10,000 15 Learn more

 

>> Find scholarships for military, veterans, spouses, and dependents with our Scholarship Finder tool

 

Scholarships for Minorities

Scholarship Type

Award Amounts

Number

Scholarships for African American College Students

 $20,000 9 Learn more

College Scholarships for Minorities

 $20,000 20 Learn more

Inclusive Minority Scholarships

 $90,000 12 Learn more

 

>> Find scholarships for military, veterans, spouses, and dependents with our Scholarship Finder tool

 

Military Tuition Assistance — Financial Aid for Active Service

The most common form of financial aid for active service members is Tuition Assistance (TA). Each service offers TA to their active service members, and it can be used to cover the costs associated with a college degree.

It is also worth noting that military college students can submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While many students understand that student loans are a by-product of applying for FAFSA, there are also grants you can receive.

Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who display a financial need and have not already earned a degree.

And get this, even if you’re using the GI Bill, or receiving Tuition Assistance, you can still apply for FAFSA. Don’t worry about the loans, though. You can decline them once your aid eligibility is reported to your school.

Scholarship Type

Award Amounts

Number

Tuition Assistance Overview

 Up to $4,500 / school year multiple Learn more

Army Tuition Assistance

 Up to $4,500 / school year multiple Learn more

Navy Tuition Assistance

 Up to $4,500 / school year multiple Learn more

Air Force Tuition Assistance

 Up to $4,500 / school year multiple Learn more

Marine Corps Tuition Assistance

 Up to $4,500 / school year multiple Learn more

Coast Guard Tuition Assistance

 Up to $4,500 / school year multiple Learn more

National Guard Tuition Assistance

 Up to $4,500 / school year multiple Learn more

Reserve Tuition Assistance

 Up to $4,500 / school year multiple Learn more

 

>> Find scholarships for military, veterans, spouses, and dependents with our Scholarship Finder tool

ROTC Scholarships

Scholarship Type

Award Amounts

Number

Army ROTC Scholarships

 Full Tuition multiple Learn more

Navy ROTC Scholarships

 Full Tuition multiple Learn more

Air Force ROTC Scholarships

 Full Tuition multiple Learn more

 

>> Find scholarships for military, veterans, spouses, and dependents with our Scholarship Finder tool

Other Scholarships

Scholarship Type

Award Amounts

Number

Fun, Interesting, and Cool Scholarships

Fun, interesting, and cool scholarships that you’ve never heard of

 Up to $20,000 12 Learn more

CIA Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship opportunities with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

 Up to $25,000 multiple Learn more

 

>> Find scholarships for military, veterans, spouses, and dependents with our Scholarship Finder tool

Military Scholarships: Scholarships by Military Branch

Each military service offers programs help military members achieve career and education goals. We’ve compiled a list of service-specific programs offering scholarships for service members. Some of these scholarships apply to active military, veterans, and even family members.

Scholarships for Women Veterans

For those women veterans, there are some great programs and scholarships that will help fund your education.

Whether you’re going into STEM, Nursing, or Business, we’ve brought together some of the best scholarship opportunities for you.

First, read Top Scholarships for Female Service Members & Veterans to discover the very best ones out there. Then, check out these other resources:

Scholarships for Disabled Veterans

As with other demographics, there are ample opportunities for our disabled veterans to obtain funding for their education. Whether it’s finding money for a current degree, or paying off student loans from a previous one, these resources can help:

Scholarships for Military Spouses and Dependents

More scholarships are available to military spouses and dependents than at any other time in our nation’s history. In our flagship article, Military Spouse Scholarships, CollegeRecon presents 15 of the best scholarships and grants available to military spouses. 

Additionally, we’ve explored College Scholarships and Grants for Children of Veterans, which highlights a variety of additional funding opportunities for military dependents and spouses.

Grants and Scholarships for Active-Duty Service Members

For those active service members, there are unique scholarship and grant opportunities for you!

Each service has a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) that awards military scholarships to active, Guard, and reserve service members. There are over 1100 institutions of higher learning that participate in one or more ROTC programs, and most offer 2-, 3-, and 4-year options.

Read the Army ROTC Scholarships, Colleges & Requirements article for more information about the Army’s program.  The Navy ROTC program covers both the Navy and Marine Corps.  Likewise, the Space Force will likely fall under the Air Force ROTC program for their education and commissioning needs.

Another education program available to active Army Soldiers is the Green to Gold program. This is a 2-year program that provides Soldiers the opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree or a 2-year graduate degree. This program leads to a commission as an Army officer.

Similar to the Army’s program, the Air Force hosts The Enlisted-to-Officer Path. This program gives Airmen the opportunity to earn their degrees and a commission in the Air Force.

Finally, Tuition Assistance (TA) is a program that provides education funding to military service members while they are still serving. Tuition Assistance can cover up to 100% of the cost-per-credit hour of many institutions.

Additional Resources for Active Duty Military

Check out the following resources for more information:

Featured Scholarships

Veterans Scholarships from Colleges and Universities

It’s not just the federal government and Fortune 500 companies that offer scholarships for veterans. Some of these scholarships are awarded for students in specific degree programs at specific institutions. Others are awarded for academic excellence.

Check out the regional scholarships CollegeRecon has broken down for you:

More Resources on Scholarships for Veterans

Were you looking for scholarships based on a degree major or prospective career field? If so, CollegeRecon has numerous resources for some of the hottest job fields, and probably some you haven’t even considered!

If you don’t see what you’re looking for there, check out our page Paying For School, which has even more leads on military scholarships. CollegeRecon also offers the Scholarship Finder Tool.  By answering a few simple questions, you will get results tailored to your goals and aspirations. Do you know what you want to study, but not where to go? Use CollegeRecon’s School Finder Tool to find schools and programs tailored to your needs.

General Requirements for Military Scholarships

While each organization that offers money for military scholarships can set its requirements for awardees, some general guidelines apply.

First, you should somehow be affiliated with the military, usually a veteran or currently serving. While most are open to all branches of service, some target a more specific demographic.  For example, the National Ranger Memorial Foundation offers the Ranger Memorial Scholarship to U.S. Army Rangers of any age and their dependents.

In any case, be prepared to offer proof of service, either through a DD-214, using ID.me, or submitting a letter from your company commander.

For many scholarship applications, you will be required to write an essay or some other form of writing. Sometimes they just want to hear your story, and at other times they want to see if you will follow instructions. 

Pay close attention to due dates, writing requirements, and any other information listed on the application.

Tips for Applying to Military Scholarships

Here are some helpful reminders when applying for military scholarships:

  • First, apply for as many scholarships as you can.
  • Keep a calendar of pending due dates. Don’t let those slip by!
  • Do NOT procrastinate on the essay. Take the time to write the best one you can.
  • Stick to the word count, even if that means cutting and revising.
  • Have someone else read your application and essay.
  • Be prepared for rejection. You’re awesome, but so are your military brothers and sisters.

In the end, apply the resilience you learned in the service to your applications for military scholarships. 

For more helpful ideas and insights, check out 13 Tips for Military & Veterans on How to Apply for Scholarships. 

Defining the Terms

What is meant by “Scholarships for Veterans” and “Military Scholarships”?

Generally speaking, a Veteran is someone who has served any portion of their life in one of the military branches. Some serve for a few years; others serve for decades. All have made sacrifices for the country.

When someone is “Military,” that usually means that they’re currently serving in the active, reserve, or guard component of a branch of service. They are on the frontline of Freedom.

Scholarships for Veterans are those sources of education funding that target the veteran community. These scholarships come from federal government agencies, state organizations, companies, and nonprofits across the country.

Military scholarships are those that target a current military member. Like scholarships for veterans, these opportunities come from a myriad of different sources.

The term “military scholarship” often applies to active duty, reserve, National Guard, veterans, and military spouses. Not always, but often enough to caveat that here. Be sure to read the eligibility requirements. Regardless of where you stand in the military community, either veteran, military spouse, or currently serving, scholarships and grants serve to help you achieve your goals.

RELATED: Degrees for Military and Veterans

 

(Image courtesy of SSgt. Joshua Chacon, U.S. Marine Corps, via Marines.mil)

 

 

 

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