Scholarships for Military Children

Scholarships for Military Children

Last Updated December 27, 2022.
The cost of higher education seems to increase every year. Did you know that according to the College Board, the average cost of tuition for a public state school for the 2016-2017 school year was $9,650?  For private colleges it was $33,480.  And those costs don’t include room, board, books or other school-related expenses.   
To pay for college, parents and students typically use their savings, apply for financial aid, and take out loans if necessary. Students may also apply for scholarships, which are a great way to cover college costs because they don’t have to be paid back.  Scholarship money can be difficult to find though. Students have to qualify for a specific scholarship, apply, and be chosen among a competitive pool of applicants. Fortunately, there are many types of scholarships available, which gives more and more students the opportunity to be awarded money.  
If you have a child who is in high school, college, or a technical/vocational program, it pays to look for scholarships to help fund their higher education.  As a military child, your son or daughter may be eligible for scholarships that are designated especially for children of veterans.  Many organizations award these scholarships as a way to thank our nation’s heroes for the sacrifices they have made protecting our country.  
Below is a list of just some of the scholarships for military children that are available. For complete scholarship information including eligibility criteria, how to apply and application deadlines, please visit the individual websites. 

Scholarships for Military Children

 American Legion Auxiliary Scholarships – The American Legion Auxiliary has several scholarships available to children of veterans, including The Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship which awards three $5,000 scholarships annually per geographic division, for a total of 15 scholarships. It also awards the Samsung American Legion Scholarship open to high school juniors who are direct descendants of a U.S. wartime veteran.  
AMVETS Scholarships – American Veterans (AMVETS) offers two scholarships for children/grandchildren of veterans, active duty, and guard/reserves: a $4,000 AMVETS scholarship and a $1,000 JROTC scholarship (must be in high school JROTC to apply).   
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation – Open to children of U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy Corpsman, this scholarship awards funds for undergraduate and associate degree study, as well as non-degree career and technical education programs.  
The MG James Ursano Scholarship Program – This is a need-based scholarship for children of Army soldiers. Scholarship amounts vary each year based on scholarship budget, number of applicants and other factors.  Recipients may receive assistance for up to four academic years, but must reapply each year and maintain eligibility criteria.  
The Scholarships for Military Children Program – Primarily funded by the manufacturers and suppliers of products sold at military commissaries, this program has awarded over $16 million in scholarships over 17 years. For the 2017-2018 school year, 700 scholarship grants of $2,000 each will be awarded.  
Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association Scholarship – The Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association awards one $1,500 scholarship annually to a child, grandchild, niece or nephew of an Army Service Woman. Selection criteria includes a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, a biographical sketch, a letter stating goals, leadership ability, and recommendations.   
In addition to these scholarships, individual colleges and vocational programs may offer scholarships to military children. Check with the educational institution your child is interested in to see what may be available. There are also state-supported scholarships awarded to children of military service members. Visit Collegescholarships.org for more information.  
 

The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered legal or financial advice. You should consult with a financial professional to determine what may be best for your individual needs. 

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