Navigating Veteran Family Scholarships: Eligibility and Opportunities

This article provides a comprehensive guide to scholarships available for veteran families, outlining eligibility requirements and various programs designed to support their educational aspirations.

Introduction

Education is a powerful tool, and for veteran families, scholarships can be the key to unlocking opportunities. Numerous organizations and institutions offer scholarships specifically for veterans, their spouses, and their dependents. Understanding the eligibility requirements and available options is the first step towards accessing these valuable resources.

General Scholarship Opportunities

Texas A&M University Scholarships

Texas A&M University offers a variety of scholarships ranging from $500 to $10,000 per year for dependents and spouses of veterans. These scholarships are based on self-reported military dependent/spouse status, which must be verified with documentation. Preferences may be given based on military service, residency, major/college, site, and enrollment status. To apply, students must submit a scholarship application, keeping in mind that awarding is subject to funding availability. For general scholarships at Texas A&M University, students can visit the scholarship page.

Outside Scholarships

Many external organizations provide scholarships for veteran families. It is important to note that the listing of outside scholarships is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by any particular institution. Accuracy and timeliness of information found at external links cannot be guaranteed.

Specific Scholarship Programs and Their Eligibility Requirements

Air Force Aid Society Scholarships

The Air Force Aid Society offers several scholarships, including the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program for veterans/active military, their sons, daughters, or grandchildren, and the General George S. Air Force Aid Society Scholarship for Air Force service members residing overseas.

Read also: Navigating VA Benefits

NAVPA Scholarship

To be eligible for the NAVPA Scholarship, applicants must:

Be a Military Veteran, Active Duty, Reserve or Guard member, or a Dependent of Veteran or Service member.
Be in good academic standing with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Complete a prerequisite essay, not to exceed two pages, on "How the NAVPA Scholarship will help me achieve my goals."
Be enrolled in and maintain attendance at a full-time rate at a NAVPA member-approved college or university during the Spring 2020 semester/quarter.
Have earned a minimum of 12 college credit hours by the end of the Spring 2020 semester/quarter.

Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program

Spouses pursuing an undergraduate degree or professional certification may receive assistance for up to four academic years of full-time study or eight academic years of part-time study. Spouses may apply year-round (no deadlines) and must re-apply every year. The Society makes one-year, renewable awards, in the amount of $1,500.

Veterans United Foundation Scholarship

The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship creates opportunities for family members of service members and Veterans to achieve their educational dreams. Applicants must be able to provide Veterans United Foundation with receipts or invoices related to eligible educational costs as they are incurred in order to receive payment and share their story of how their military service or losing their spouse/parent affected them.

Fry Scholarship

Children or spouses of those who died in service to our nation on or after September 11, 2001, may be eligible for the Fry Scholarship.

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

Veterans and Fry Scholars who have or will soon exhaust their benefits and are currently enrolled in a STEM degree program or are seeking teacher certification are eligible to receive the Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship.

Read also: Scholarships for Military Veterans

Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans and Service Members (CSDDV)

The CSDDV provides scholarships for dependent children or un-remarried spouses of Florida Veterans or Service Members who died as a result of service-connected injuries, diseases, or disabilities sustained while on active duty or who have been certified by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs as having service connected 100% permanent and total disabilities. CSDDV also provides funds for dependent children whose parent is classified as a prisoner of war or missing in action by the Armed Forces of the United States or as civilian personnel captured while serving with the consent or authorization of the United States Government during wartime service.

Illinois Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Scholarship

The State of Illinois provides an education scholarship for the dependents of veterans who are either Missing In Action, a Prisoner of War, died while on active duty, 100% disabled due to service-connected disabilities, or died as a result of a service-connected disabilities, as established by 105 ILCS 5/30-14.2 (Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Scholarship) and 95 Ill. An applicant must be the spouse, natural child, stepchild under the age of 18 at the time of marriage, adopted child under the age of 18 at the time of adoption, or minor child younger than 18 who is under a court-ordered guardianship for at least 2 continuous years prior to application, of the veteran to qualify. The veteran must have been an Illinois resident at the time of entering active military service, an Illinois resident within six months after entering active military service, or a resident of Illinois for at least 15 consecutive years after entering active duty as of the date of application.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation: Provides college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in combat or accidents.
Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship: For the children of service members who have died or become disabled through their active-duty service since Sept.
American Legion Legacy Scholarship: For children of military members who have died while on active duty since Sept.
Scholarships for Military Children Program: Run by the Defense Commissary Agency, funded by the manufacturers and suppliers of commissary goods.
Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program: Provides grants to women soldiers, past and present, and their lineal descendants to help them attain their educational goals.
Marine Corps League Scholarship Program: Provides scholarship grants to applicants.
MOAA Scholarship Fund: Provides scholarships, grants, and interest-free loans to students with veteran or active-duty military parents.
Paralyzed Veterans of America Scholarship: Helps members and their immediate families gain post-secondary education from accredited colleges and universities.
Tillman Military Scholarships: Supports educational opportunities for Veteran and active Service Members and their dependents (children and spouses).
Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation: Provides 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.
Gilman-McCain Scholarship: Specifically for dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application.

Additional Resources and Considerations

VA Education Benefits

As the family member of a Veteran, individuals may be eligible for VA education benefits, including money for school or to help cover expenses while training for a job. Veterans may be able to transfer their education benefits to their spouse or dependent child.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Fry Scholars or those using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Scholarships as "Gap Insurance"

Veterans should use scholarship funds like “gap insurance” to pay for any tuition, housing, fees, or books not covered by their benefits. Dependents of veterans may or may not be covered by the benefit programs, making scholarship funds even more important for them.

Read also: Benefits of Veteran Internships

Florida Scholarship Programs

Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO): Active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces who have been given permanent change of station orders to move to Florida are eligible for the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) before they make their move.
Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA): Active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces who have been given permanent change of station orders to move to Florida are eligible for the Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) before they make their move. The Unique Abilities Scholarships vary based on a student’s grade level, county of residence, and level of need, averaging around $10,000.
PEP Scholarship: Active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces who have been given permanent change of station orders to move to Florida are eligible for the PEP Scholarship before they make their move.

Financial Aid Application

The Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application is required for verification for certain scholarships. Applicants must not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made.

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