Late winter into early spring is an important period of time for high school seniors. With college application deadlines quickly approaching, the search for scholarship opportunities is on.
Finding a quality scholarship can be the difference between a student going to college or not—and it also helps countless students lower the amount of debt they’ll have upon graduation. Thankfully, children of military personnel (both active duty and veterans) have a great deal of scholarships available to them! Combine these 5 college scholarships for military children with the GI Bill and college tuition will no longer stand in the way of their education.
1. AMVETS Scholarships
There are many different AMVETS scholarships available to MilKids that range in value, all with varying requirements. Scholarships are awarded based on academic promise, financial need, and merit.
The AMVETS scholarships are awarded once per year, no matter the student’s academic schedule. The scholarship application period opens up January 20th and closes April 30th. Scholarship applicants must meet all eligibility requirements, gather all required documentation, and complete an online application in order to be considered.
2. Fisher House Foundation’s Scholarships for Military Children
Awarded by the Commissary and funded by contributors, the Scholarships for Military Children Program “was created in recognition of the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community.” Funds for this scholarship are mainly available due to the generosity of manufacturers and suppliers who sell their products in military commissaries throughout the world.
According to their website, “A total of 500 scholarship grants, each for $2,000, will be awarded for the school year 2020-21.” One recipient will be selected at every commissary location where there are qualified applicants. More applicants will be chosen from commissaries with a larger pool of applicants.
Students must possess a valid U.S. Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card and have parents actively serving or parents who have served in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard to be eligible to apply for the scholarship. Applications are due by February 24, 2020.
3. Fisher House Foundation’s Heroes Legacy Scholarship
The Heroes Legacy Scholarship is designed to honor those who have fallen in battle or have expired from injuries suffered while in active duty — as well as those currently living with a disability as a result of active military service — since September 11, 2001.
Qualifying disabilities are defined as those that allow the military service member to be eligible for Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) or “permanent and total disability compensation rating of 100%.” Dependent children under the age of 23 may apply if one or both parents falls into one of the aforementioned categories.
4. Army Scholarship Foundation
Awards from the Army Scholarship Foundation range from $500 to $2000. In order to be eligible for a scholarship from this foundation, applicants must be a son, daughter, or spouse of an active duty, active duty Reserve, or active duty National Guard U.S. Army member in good standing.
Additionally, a son, daughter, or spouse of any former U.S. Army member who received an honorable discharge, medical discharge, or who were killed while serving the U.S. army are also eligible. Applicants must be high school seniors, high school graduates, or students currently registered for an undergraduate degree at an accredited college with a 2.0 GPA on a 4-point system to be considered.
The Army Scholarship Foundation offers over 20 scholarships for military children and spouses, specifically those in the U.S. Army. These are awarded on a one-time basis. Applicants will be considered for all scholarships available, so there’s no need to focus on a singular scholarship or submit multiple applications for varying awards.
5. Bonsai Finance Veterans Scholarship
According to the scholarship’s website, “The Bonsai Finance Veteran’s Scholarship celebrates veteran and dependent students who strive for excellence in their lives. The scholarship provides a one-time payment of $1,000 for current or future education costs.”
In order to be eligible, applicants must be a veteran or active duty member of the United States Military, or be a direct dependent such as a son, daughter, or spouse. Applicants must be a senior in high school, a high school graduate, or registered as an undergraduate student at an accredited college. All applicants must be a United States citizen and may not have previously earned a bachelor’s degree. When applying, applicants must submit a short essay in response to the proposed questions—the scholarship is based entirely on this essay response. The application deadline for this scholarship is September 30th, 2020.
Get Going on Those Scholarship Applications!
There are countless scholarships designed to help military children tackle the cost of tuition. During the late winter and early spring months, we encourage students to take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities at hand and apply to as many scholarships for military children as they are eligible for. Share recommendations for other scholarships for military kids in the comments section below!
More Ways for Military Kids to Succeed:
Financial Solutions for Your Military Family:
Life Insurance, Wealth Management, Home Mortgages, Survivor Services, and more. Learn more about AAFMAA.
