Scholarships for Service Members: What Parents Should Know
There are numerous scholarship opportunities for service members. From government-sponsored programs to private university-sponsored options, any service member looking for financial aid to further their education has a number of different sponsorship offers to choose from. But all scholarships for service members are not made equal, and knowing how to identify the best option for your service member is essential to helping them make the right choice. To help you achieve this, here is what you need to know about scholarships in the military and how to find the best one for your service member.
3 Major Scholarships for Service Members
There are a ton of military scholarship options in the United States, and a lot of them are designed for specific branches in the military. Below are some of the major scholarship programs designed with active service members in mind:
Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship
A highly competitive scholarship option for both active-duty service members and veterans, as well as their spouses, the Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship worth an average of $10,000 per academic year. Applicants are evaluated not only on academic excellence but also on leadership potential, community service, and a commitment to continued service beyond the military.
Recipients of this scholarship can spend the prize money on both academic expenses like tuition, fees, and books, as well as living and housing expenses. They also become a part of a powerful network of Tillman Scholars, gaining access to mentorship and professional development opportunities that extend beyond just their military careers.
AMVETS National Scholarships
Offered by one of the U.S.'s most respected veterans' organizations, AMVETS, the AMVETS National Scholarships provide a range of scholarship opportunities for both veterans and active-duty service members. It also offers scholarship options for military spouses and the dependents of service members.
These scholarships are designed to supplement federal education benefits and other financial aid programs available to military families, providing up to $4,000 per year to qualified recipients to help cover housing and educational expenses.
VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero” Scholarship
A partnership between the Veterans for Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sport Clips Haircuts, the Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship provides up to $5,000 per semester to qualified veterans and active-duty service members. This scholarship is designed to support those who are not fully covered by the GI Bill and are pursuing an education at an accredited post-secondary institution in the United States. This complementary scholarship is designed especially for service members in need of additional funding beyond their existing military education benefits and helps cover tuition and fees for degree and certificate programs.
How to Apply for Military Scholarships
The scholarships mentioned above are just a few of the many military scholarships available for service members of the US military. There are many more scholarship options your service member can be eligible for. To register for any of the scholarship options mentioned above, or find out more military scholarship options for your service members, their spouses, and their dependents, follow the links provided in the resource below.
Useful Resources
Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship - Official page for finding out more information about the Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship.
AMVETS National Scholarships - Official page for finding available scholarships from AMVETS and their partners.
VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero” Scholarship - Official page for the Sport Clips Help a Hero scholarship.
List of Military Scholarships - Relevant resource from U.S. Veterans Magazine
