Ways to Get Scholarships for Children of Veterans – Scholarships are free money that assist college students in paying for their school expenses and are not required to be repaid. This makes them a good choice for those who are unable to afford their college fees and pursue higher education. It is interesting to note that there are scholarship opportunities designed for children and grandchildren of veterans in the United States of America to sponsor their college funding. This guide will throw light on scholarship opportunities designed for children of veteran families.
Highlights of this Post
Are There Government Scholarships And Financial Aid For Children of Veterans?
Military service members and veterans can transfer the post 9/ 11 GI benefits to their children. Children of military members who are veterans are eligible for two federal VA programs, the Fry Scholarship and Dependents’ Education Assistance. Children of veterans are not allowed to receive assistance from both the financial assistance programs unless their guardian has died prior 1st August 2011.
Even if you are eligible for both the awards the combined benefits are capped at a total of 81 months of full-time training.
- The Dependents’ Education Assistance is known as the Survivors And Dependents Education Assistance Program that provides education and training opportunities to dependents of veteran members. To be eligible, the US veteran should be disabled because of service-related conditions. The program also covers children of veterans who have died while being on active duty or as a result of service-related conditions.
- The Fry scholarship known as Marine Gunnett Sergeant John David Fry’s Scholarship offers post 9/11 GI bill benefits to children of US service members. Children of veterans are eligible to receive assistance with this scholarship program if their parent(s) has died in the line of duty after 10th September 2001.
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How Do The Children Of Veterans Apply For Scholarships?
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Complete Filing FAFSA
A lot of scholarships require students to complete FAFSA. To save your time and effort you can complete FAFSA as early as possible to learn about the scholarship application and get an idea of your expected family contribution. This will help you to qualify for a lot of federal grants, scholarships and loans.
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Stay Up To Date With Ongoing Eligibility Criteria
Even after getting a scholarship, it is important to stay current with ongoing eligibility criteria. The scholarship opportunities designed for children of veterans are multi-year awards and require annual reapplications. On renewing the scholarship you can offset the cost of higher education or else apply for new grants, scholarships, loans or work-study programs.
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What Are The Eligibility Criteria To Qualify For Scholarship For Children Of Veterans?
- Applicants should be a child or a stepchild of a former or current member of the U.S. military for instance the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.
- Applicants should be enrolled or accepted into an accredited United States college or university and must plan on continuing education
- Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent US resident
- Must fulfill the academic history, extracurricular activities, test scores and GPA criteria. To apply for a scholarship for children of veterans’ financial need is not a mandatory criterion.
What Are The Documents Required For Children Of Veterans To Get Scholarships?
Scholarship opportunities for children of veterans require official documents from applicants to claim financial assistance to fund their college education. Following are the examples of relevant documents that you need to submit along with your application.
- Personal documentation like passport, driver’s license, original birth certificates, school registration etc.
- Proof of citizenship and residency
- Your Social Security number
- Most recent tax return
- Household income verification documents in the form of bank statements, W2 forms or similar financial documents
- Provide proof of academic records, GPA, description of volunteer service or community service
- School code and other pertaining information about the college you’re planning to attend
- Direct deposit details for your bank account
- Military service history or related documents
- References from friends, family members, supervisors or people familiar with your guardian service record
- An organized essay on a topic in less than 1000 words.
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What Are The Available Scholarships For Children Of Veterans?
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Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
Children of individuals who serve or served in the U.S. Marine Corps can apply for the scholarship. They can apply for the scholarship and get financial aid via Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation’s general scholarship program.
However, this program offers scholarships to those children as well children whose parents serve or served in the U.S. Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, and Religious Program Specialists.
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Military Commanders Scholarship Fund
Each year the New York chapter of the American Logistics Association offers scholarships. They offer scholarships to the children of the military members who are active on duty, reserve, National Guard, or retired members of the US military. They offer help to military members’ children so that they can make a bright future for themselves.
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Dolphin Scholarship Foundation
With the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, high school seniors and current college students can apply for receiving financial aid. The children or step-children of the members or former members of the U.S. Navy Submarine Force can apply for the scholarship and can be eligible for the scholarship award.
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Heroes Tribute Scholarships
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation offers the funds to the children and grandchildren of Marine or former Marines. They offer this scholarship to those veterans’ children or grandchildren, who died in the attack of 9/11 or died in the combat that happened after the 9/11 attack.
This foundation offers scholarships to those veterans’ children and grandchildren so that they can continue their education with the financial aid that they will get from this scholarship.
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AMVETS National Scholarship Program
AMVETS offers the scholarship to the children and grandchildren of the veterans, active duty servicemen, and also to the members of the guard or reserve. For this scholarship, they can apply, if they need financial aid for their education.
This scholarship is open only for graduating high school seniors and those who maintain the minimum 3.0 GPA. You can learn more about this scholarship award and see the complete information.
Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association Scholarship
The Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association Scholarship is the scholarship that offers grants to the children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and along with them, female members of the family. They all can apply for scholarships and get financial aid for their education.
Paralyzed Veterans Of America Educational Scholarship Program
Unmarried dependents of the Paralyzed Veterans of America members are eligible to receive financial support for this scholarship program. Qualified recipients of the scholarship program are eligible to apply again and are capped at two scholarships in their lifetime.
The Paralyzed Veterans Of America Educational Scholarship award ranges between $1000 to $2500 depending on the eligibility criteria. Both part-time and full-time college students are eligible to receive assistance.
Allied.Com Military Scholarship Competition
College students who are willing to pursue a career in supply chain management and logistics are eligible to receive financial support through the Allied.com Military Scholarship Competition. The eligibility criteria of this scholarship require applicants to prove they are dependent on a current or former active duty military member.
Moreover, they are required to write an essay of 400 to 800 words explaining why they have selected supply chain management or logistics as their college major and showcase a minimum GPA of 2.5. This scholarship assists up to $1000 to eligible applicants.
Wings Over America Scholarship
Dependents of former or current U.S. Navy personnel are eligible to receive scholarships provided by Wings Over America’s Scholarship Program. The Wings Over America assists students belonging to traditional four-year colleges including technical schools and community colleges and trade.
The eligibility criteria for children of veterans require them to showcase academic achievements, work experience, recommendations and essays, community service and extracurricular activities. This scholarship award may vary depending on a lot of factors however it generally offers assistance up to $5000.
Children Of The Wounded Scholarship
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation awards children of veterans scholarships worth $2500 to $10,000 each year. To apply and become eligible you need to showcase GPA requirements of 2.0 or above and have adjusted gross family income at or below $11,7000.
The eligibility criteria require applicants to be a child or stepchild of
- A current or former United States Navy corpsman, religious program specialist or Navy chaplain attached or formally attached to the US Marine Corps unit
- A current or former United States Marine Unit.
The scholarship award ranges up to $40,000 across a period of four years for eligible applicants.
The Army Scholarship Foundations Undergraduate Scholarship
The Undergraduate Scholarship program by the Army Scholarship Foundation is open to high school graduates, high school seniors and undergraduate students in the United States. The scholarship application is open to qualified students who have enrolled successfully in US technical or vocational schools.
The eligibility criteria require candidates to have a minimum 2.0 GPA, be under 24 years of age and submit an essay answering all the pertinent questions in 300 words. The eligibility criteria require applicants to be the child or spouse of a current or former U.S. Army member of the National Guard. The scholarship award may vary depending on a lot of factors however it offers assistance up to $1000.
MG James Ursano Scholarship Program
The MG James Ursano Scholarship Program offers scholarships to various children. Like, children of Army Soldiers on active duty, children of soldiers who die while they are on active duty or retired, or children of retired soldiers, and others. If someone is pursuing the 4 year academic program, they have to reapply for this scholarship and to get financial assistance.
Tailhook Educational Foundation Scholarship Awards
The Tailhook Educational Foundation also offers scholarships to the children and grandchildren of the veterans who are current members or served the nation.
The veterans who are retired or served in the U.S. Navy as naval aviators, flight officers or air-crewmen, or as a ship’s company personnel, or as carrier aviation air wing.
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John Cornelius/ Max English Memorial Scholarship
The Marine Corps Tankers Association offers scholarships to the children and grandchildren of veterans. The veterans must be active on duty, reserve, retired, or are honorably discharged members of the Marine Corps Tank Unit.
For this scholarship, different applicants can apply, such as those who are undergraduate, high school seniors, and also graduate students are eligible. The applicants can know more about this scholarship in detail.
Lt. COL Romeo And Josephine Bass Ferretti Scholarship
The Air Force Association provides scholarship opportunities for minor dependents of retired or active duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve enlisted army.
This scholarship award is open to graduating high school seniors in America who are pursuing a college degree in technology, science, math or engineering. The recipients of the scholarship program are chosen based on their character, financial need and academic achievements.
Scholarships For Military Children
The Scholarship for Military children Program is designed for unmarried military-dependent children who are below 23 years of age and have a valid Uniformed Service Identification Card.
Applicants should prove one of their parents to be in the following category: reserve or guard, active duty, deceased, or retired from Navy, army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force or Space Force.
Children of veterans should meet the following eligibility criteria to receive assistance
- High school applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to 4.0 whereas college applicants should have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Must enroll or plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate program that can lead to a bachelor’s degree or a junior college for a direct transfer into a four-year program
- Must provide an essay, transcripts and other valid documents
This scholarship assists up to $2000 and can be renewed for up to four years.
Samsung American Legion Scholarship
Being a worldwide electronic leader the company Samsung provides a scholarship known as the Samsung American Legion Scholarship to appreciate US veterans for their struggle against the communist force in the Korean War.
The scholarship covers children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of eligible US veterans who have served on active duty during a period of the war designated by the American Legion.
This organization assists 10 national scholars worth $10,000 each, 10 national runners-up with $5000 each including the remaining department finalists with $1250 each. The Samsung American Legion Scholarship as of 2023 has helped 2422 recipients with $7.2 million scholarship opportunities since its establishment in 1996.
Folds Of Honor Foundation
The children as well as spouses of service members who have been wounded, killed or disabled due to their service are eligible to receive assistance from the Folds of the Honour Foundation.
The funding opportunities help in paying off the outstanding fees or tuition costs for their first bachelor’s college degree. Recipients of the program can reapply for the scholarship every year for up to four years of funding.
The scholarship amount is up to $5000 each. Students who are attending post-secondary institutions have to complete filing FAFSA. To learn more details about how to receive assistance from this program you can dial 918-274-4700.
Army Scholarship Foundation
Children and spouses of individuals who currently or formerly served on active duty in the U.S. Army National Guard or the Army Reserve are eligible to receive scholarship assistance from the Army Scholarship Foundation.
Children of former U.S. Army members who have received an honorable discharge or any medical discharge for those who were killed while serving in the United States Army are eligible to receive assistance.
This scholarship goes to children who have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Applicants should be citizens of the United States and must not have reached 24 years by the application deadline date in the year of applying. They must not have earned a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university before to be eligible.
Sarah A. Bonafide Vietnam Veteran Scholarship Fund
The Sarah A. Bonafide Vietnam Veterans Scholarship Fund offers assistance for children of veterans in the Sacramento CA region.
The scholarship covers veterans of the Vietnam War including the surviving spouse and dependents of Vietnam War veterans. The application for this scholarship fund requires you to submit an application form, give proof of service of your parents, during the Vietnam War.
Apart from this scholarship program, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation administers scholarship programs for local area students and supports individuals or businesses families and charitable organizations within Sacramento. This program offers assistance up to $1000.
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Military Order Of The Purple Heart $3000 Scholarship Program
The national headquarters of the Military Order of the Purple Heart funds this scholarship program for US undergraduate and graduate students who are either Purple Heart recipients or children, spouses, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of Purple Heart recipients.
The scholarship awards assistance up to $3000 annually which is non-renewable. You need to meet the eligibility criteria and submit documents like essay, official transcript, membership and other recommendation letters.
Veterans United Foundation Scholarship
The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship is open to the surviving children and spouses of fallen active duty or veteran members of the US armed forces.
You need to enroll or plan to enroll in an accredited college or university in the upcoming semester and must pursue a professional or trade certificate of bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or graduate, or postgraduate doctoral degree.
Along with this, you need to demonstrate robust financial need and submit an application form, photo, FAFSA, and etc. The Veterans United Foundation is a nonprofit organization that awards scholarships worth $5000 to $20,000 annually.
Society Of Daughters Of The United States
The Society of Daughters of the United States Army assists high school seniors and college applicants who are currently attending or planning to enroll in an accredited post-secondary education or a degree program.
This nonprofit organization promotes good relationships among daughters and granddaughters of army officers and helps them with an award of $1500. The number of scholarships that each applicant can get varies depending on the availability of funding and the number of applicants.
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Other Ways To Cover Education Expenses For Children Of Veterans
Children of veterans or military members can access scholarship opportunities from different funding sources to sponsor their education. Even military service members as well as veterans can transfer the unused post-9/ 11 GI bill benefits to their children on meeting specific eligibility criteria. The GI bill helps children to pay for their housing and tuition costs including textbooks Stipend for up to 36 months.
Financial aid is a significant way for children of veterans to cover the cost of acquiring a college degree. In addition to searching for government-sponsored grants and scholarships be sure to complete filing a Free Application For Federal Student Aid FAFSA. The filing chapter will help you to connect to other funding opportunities for instance Pell Grant program, other federal-sponsored grants, work study programs and student loans.
You can also use funding from a college savings account or be eligible for a tuition waiver in some circumstances. Students can get seasonal jobs and part-time work to earn an income and offset the high cost of education.
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Conclusion
Being the child of a veteran or a military member can help you qualify for a unique set of financial assistance programs and scholarship awards. Children of veterans need to keep an eye on scholarship search engines and also complete filing FAFSA each year before enrolling themselves in technical school, college or trade school programs. Leveraging multiple scholarship opportunities will help you to keep higher education as affordable as possible.
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