
Scholarships for active duty military students

Depending on your personal and professional goals, joining the military after high school can be an excellent path for beginning your professional career and improving your skill set. Not only does it offer the chance to develop leadership skills and acquire world-class training, but it can also provide the opportunity to travel and pursue your passions. The military might bring thoughts of heavy combat and wars to your mind, but the reality is that it offers diverse experiences that can range from frontline combat and cybersecurity to humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
Some individuals choose to create a lifelong career within the military while others utilize their skills to transfer into a civilian career. Either way, pairing the skills you have gained in the military with an education is an asset and professional advantage. Students who choose to transition to a civilian career following their service often find a range of options available in fields such as technology and engineering.
Fortunately, both the federal government and several private organizations provide financial aid and scholarships for active duty military, veterans, and their families. These awards range from federal grants that cover some educational costs to full-tuition scholarships funded by the military and private organizations. Finding aid to fund your education is an easy process and can be as simple as reaching out to your military leadership and visiting our financial aid page.
To kickstart your search, check the scholarships for active duty military below.
Federal government scholarships and financial aid programs
The federal government recognizes the sacrifice and importance of military service members and provides a range of financial aid options to support former and current members in earning their degree. Whether you are interested in moving up the military ranks or following a new passion, these programs can help you earn your degree debt-free.
Students who had a parent or legal guardian die during military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11th, 2001, are eligible to receive this federal grant. Students must meet all Pell Grant eligibility requirements, but not be eligible for the Pell Grant based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC). To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Scholarship amount: Students can receive up to the maximum Federal Pell Grant award. For the 2021-2022 school year, this amount is $6,495.
Official scholarship website: Federal Student Aid – Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
For students who are Pell-eligible and had a parent or legal guardian die in Iraq or Afghanistan following 9/11, the federal government will set the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to zero. This means that students will be eligible for the maximum Pell Grant award of $6,495 as well as additional financial aid.
Scholarship amount: $6,495
Official scholarship website: Federal Student Aid – Pell
The Department of Defense (DoD) provides tuition assistance to service members who have served in the Army, Army National Guard, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard. The funds can be used towards any voluntary, off-duty education program approved by the Department of Defense, including both online and in-person programs.
Scholarship amount: Up to $4,500 per year
Official scholarship website: Military Tuition Assistance
The GI Bill includes a variety of programs for both active duty military and veterans and can be used towards undergraduate, graduate, or training programs. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals who served on active duty after September 10th, 2001, the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty is for individuals who have served at least 2 years of active duty, and the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve is for individuals who have committed to serving at least 6 years in the Selected Reserve. Some benefits can also be transferred to spouses or dependents.
Scholarship amount: Varies
Official scholarship website: GI Bill programs
The U.S. Army offers scholarships to individuals who have served at least 2 years of active duty. The scholarship can either cover tuition or room and board. Recipients are also granted additional money for textbooks and supplies, a monthly living stipend, and funds to attend the cadet leadership course.
Scholarship amount: Either full tuition full or room and board, plus additional funds for supplies and monthly living expenses
Official scholarship website: Green to Gold Scholarship
Students who are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree to become an AFROTC cadet can apply for this military-funded scholarship. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, and includes additional funds for textbooks and monthly living expenses. Awards range from 2 to 4 years in length.
Scholarship amount: Full tuition, plus additional funds for supplies and monthly living expenses
Official scholarship website: Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC)
Florida residents who are spouses or children of disabled or deceased veterans can apply for this annual award. To apply, students must complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA). The award is renewable as long as students continue to meet eligibility requirements.
Scholarship amount: No amount specified
Official scholarship website: Florida Student Financial Aid
Scholarships for active duty military
To show appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices of our military, several private organizations offer generous scholarships for active duty military. Some scholarships are general, while others are for specific majors or demographics. Earning these scholarships is a great way to eliminate financial stress while earning your degree.
AMVETS awards several scholarships per year to both active duty military and veterans. The scholarships are distributed over a 4-year period and students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need.
Scholarship amount: $4,000 scholarship (2) and $12,000 scholarship (2)
Official scholarship website: AMVETS National Scholarships
Both service members and veterans can apply for this annual scholarship presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Applicants can be retired, honorably discharged, active duty, or a member of the National Guard or Reserve and must have held or currently hold a rank of E-5 or below.
Scholarship amount: Up to $5,000
Official scholarship website: Veterans of Foreign Wars
Scholarships for veterans
After leaving the military, many veterans pursue education to gain additional skills to reenter the civilian workforce, or simply to pursue other interests. A wide range of companies and organizations, such as the ones below, provide scholarships to help veterans pursue their dreams after completing military service.
To support navy and navy reserve veterans transitioning to civilian careers, Raytheon offers 2 scholarships per year. Both undergraduate and graduate students can apply. Winners are selected based on demonstrated leadership in their local community.
Scholarship amount: $10,000
Official scholarship website: Student Veterans of America
This merit-based scholarship is presented to active duty military and veterans who are pursuing a degree in the STEM field. Students must have been deployed and served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, or Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
Scholarship amount: $2,500
Official scholarship website: Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA)
With the goal of filling in the gaps of other veterans’ scholarships and tuition assistance programs, the UDT-Seal Association provides scholarships to Navy Special Warfare veterans and their dependents. Both undergraduate and graduate students can apply.
Scholarship amount: No amount specified
Official scholarship website: UDT-Seal Association
Scholarships for children of active duty military and veterans
Children, grandchildren, and step-children of military service members sometimes end up sacrificing just as much as their parents. Dependents of both active duty military personnel and veterans can find an array of scholarships available to support them in achieving their academic goals.
The American Legion grants generous scholarships to children of post-9/11 veterans who either died on active duty or possess a combined VA disability rating of at least 50%. The award can be used for both undergraduate and graduate programs and students can reapply up to 6 times.
Scholarship amount: Up to $20,000
Official scholarship website: American Legion
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) provides annual renewable scholarships to children of U.S. military service members who died in the line of duty or are currently receiving Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (T-SGLI) payments. Recipients are selected based on extracurricular involvement, academic performance, and financial need.
Scholarship amount: $7,000 per year
Official scholarship website: Military Officers Association of America
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to both children and stepchildren of active duty, reserve, and veteran members of the United States Marine Corps. Children and step-children of Marines who died during service are also eligible. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and attend one of the schools listed on the National Center for Education Statistic’s College Navigator website. Two scholarships are available: The Children of the Fallen Scholarship and The Children of the Wounded Scholarship.
Scholarship amount: Up to $40,000 over 4 years
Official scholarship website: Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
Scholarships for spouses of active duty military and veterans
Spouses of active duty service members and veterans serve as a solid and consistent support system. On top of participating in the military community, spouses often need to sacrifice their own goals to support the needs of their military partner. The scholarships below help military spouses pursue their own dreams by providing funding to earn a college degree.
Both veterans and active duty military from any branch of the U.S. armed forces can apply to become a Tillman Scholar. Surviving spouses are also eligible. The funds can be used towards undergraduate or graduate programs and can be renewed annually if applicants meet certain eligibility requirements, such as involvement in the organization.
Scholarship amount: $10,000
Official scholarship website: Patti Tillman Foundation
To support veterans or surviving spouses, children, and children of U.S. service members, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation presents this annual scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to wounded veterans or surviving dependents of veterans who were killed or wounded on active duty.
Scholarship amount: Up to $5,000
Official scholarship website: Sacramento Region Community Foundation
Need-based military scholarships
Even with a range of government-funded military scholarships, grants, and tuition assistance programs, sometimes more funding is needed to pay for school. The awards below are focused on providing financial aid to active duty military, veterans, spouses, and dependents with demonstrated financial need.
The Fleet Reserve Association presents several scholarships per year to service members, veterans, and their families. Winners are chosen based on financial need, academic standing, character, and leadership qualities. Applicants need to be affiliated with the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard through their own service or the service of a spouse, parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent.
Scholarship amount: Up to $5,000
Official scholarship website: Fleet Reserve Association
The Gamewardens Association – Vietnam to Present offers annual scholarships to children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Vietnam veterans. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. The organization awards 3 scholarships per year and students are able to reapply each year.
Scholarship amount: $2,000
Official scholarship website: Gamewardens Association
Daughters of career commissioned officers in the United States Armed Forces can apply for this 4-year scholarship. Both financial need and academic performance are considered when selecting recipients.
Scholarship amount: Up to $20,000 over 4 years
Official scholarship website: Daughters of the Cincinnati
School-specific scholarships for active duty military
In addition to private organizations and government funding, several schools across the United States have their own scholarships for active duty personnel, veterans, and their spouses and dependents. Be sure to check with your school to see if they offer any special programs.
This generous scholarship is available to members of the United States Military, including the National Guard, and their children and spouses. Service members of the Fraternal Order of Police or Fire Fighters and EMT personnel and their children and spouses are also eligible. Students must be attending Peirce College.
Scholarship amount: 25% of tuition
Official scholarship website: Peirce College
Students with a record of military service who are attending the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law are eligible for this scholarship. Winners are selected based on financial need and academic performance.
Scholarship amount: No amount specified
Official scholarship website: IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Gadsden State Community College provides scholarships to spouses and children of Alabama National Guard service members and reservists currently on active duty. Winners receive funding throughout their program as long as the service member remains on deployment.
Scholarship amount: No amount specified
Official scholarship website: Gadsden State Community College
Both spouses and dependents of military service members on active duty or serving in the Reserve or National Guard can receive military tuition benefits from Excelsior College. In addition, the school also provides assistance with other forms of military financial aid.
Scholarship amount: No amount specified
Official scholarship website: Excelsior College
Best military scholarships of 2022-2023
Army (ROTC) Reserve Officers Training Corps Two-, Three-, Four-Year Campus-Based Scholarships
Department of the Army
Renewable
Amount: $10,000 – $120,000
Deadline: ongoing
Scholarships for Military Children
Defense Commissary Agency
Not Renewable
Amount: $2,000+
Deadline: ongoing
U.S. Army ROTC Four-Year Nursing Scholarship
Department of the Army
Renewable
Amount: $5,000 – $50,000
Deadline: 2/4
U.S. Army ROTC Four-Year Historically Black College/University Scholarship
Department of the Army
Renewable
Amount: $9,000 – $40,000
Deadline: 2/4
John Cornelius-Max English Scholarship
Marine Corps Tankers Association
Renewable
Amount: $2,000+
Deadline: 3/15
The Mike and Gail Donley Spouse Scholarship
Air Force Association
Not Renewable
Amount: $2,500+
Deadline: 4/30
Erman W. Taylor Memorial Scholarship
American Legion Department of Missouri
Not Renewable
Amount: $750+
Deadline: 4/20
Charles L. Bacon Memorial Scholarship
American Legion Department of Missouri
Amount: $750+
Deadline: 4/20
Lillie Lois Ford Scholarship Fund
American Legion Department of Missouri
Not Renewable
Amount: $1,000+
Deadline: 4/20
M.D. Jack Murphy Memorial Nurses Training Scholarship
American Legion Department of Missouri
Amount: $1,000+
Deadline: 4/20
Air Force ROTC College Scholarship Type 1
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps
Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: ongoing
Air Force ROTC College Scholarship Type 7
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps
Amount: Varies
Deadline: ongoing
Ann E. Clark Foundation Scholarships
Navy League of the United States
Renewable
Amount: $10,000+
Deadline: 3/15
Army Officers Wives Club of the Greater Washington Area Scholarship
Army Officers’ Wives Club of Greater Washington Area
Not Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: ongoing
Army ROTC Green to Gold Scholarship Program for Two-Year, Three-Year and Four-Year Scholarships, Active Duty Enlisted Personnel
Department of the Army
Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: ongoing
Captain Jennifer Shafer Odom Memorial Scholarships
Army Scholarship Foundation
Not Renewable
Amount: $500 – $2,000
Deadline: 4/15
Certificate Program AWF Legacy Scholarships
Army Women’s Foundation
Amount: $1,000+
Deadline: 1/20
Community College AWF Legacy Scholarships
Army Women’s Foundation
Amount: $1,000+
Deadline: 1/20
EOD Warrior Foundation Scholarship
EOD Warrior Foundation
Renewable
Amount: $1,000 – $4,000
Deadline: 2/25
Eileen M. Bonner Scholarship Award for Medical Excellence
The Reserve Officers Association
Not Renewable
Amount: $1,000+
Deadline: 7/1
Earning a college degree, along with the leadership and team collaboration skills gained during your military service, gives you an advantage when advancing or transitioning your career. With a range of military and civilian options available, you can easily find opportunities aligned with your passions and interests. Setting up military financial aid and applying for scholarships for active duty military can help ensure that you finish school without student debt – meaning you have more energy to focus on achieving your goals.
FAQ
How do I apply for scholarships for active duty military?
To apply for the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant and Federal Pell Grant, you need to complete the FAFSA. For other government programs, reach out to the VA or the office of your military branch for more information. Private scholarships have their own application requirements, which can be found on the website or by reaching out to the organization directly.
Where can I find scholarships for active duty military?
The best way to begin your search is to reach out to the office of your military branch to see what types of financial aid and scholarships you are eligible for based on your personal situation. You can also find a wide range of scholarships online. Scholarships databases found on Degree Choices, Petersons, Fastweb and Cappex also allows you to search for military scholarships and you can find even more scholarships on the Peterson, Fastweb, and Cappex databases.
Does my school offer additional scholarships for active duty military?
Many schools provide scholarships and financial aid for active duty military and veterans. The best way to find out about these opportunities is to reach out to your school’s financial aid office.