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Scholarships
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Top scholarships for veterans
Find scholarships for veterans that can help you pay for college.
Here’s a scholarship you can apply for in minutes.
Veteran scholarships
Featured
Featured
Featured
Higher Education Scholarships for Orphans of Veterans
Due: 9/1/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$2,500
Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen Scholarship
Due: 9/15/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$2,500
Building Future Leaders Scholarship Program For Veterans or Service Members
Due: 10/1/26
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
Building Future Leaders Scholarship Program For Students of Military Families
Due: 10/1/26
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
Ohio College Opportunity Grant
Due: 10/1/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
WJA Veteran Grant Sponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Due: 11/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
Enter to win a $2,000 scholarship
No essay | Apply in 2 minutes or less
Key takeaways about scholarships for veterans
- Veterans can access thousands of dollars for their education through dedicated scholarships.
- Awards can help cover tuition, vocational training, certifications, and online programs.
- You can apply for veteran scholarships in addition to benefits like the GI Bill®.
- Veteran scholarships typically look for proof of service, eligible program enrollment, and other criteria when you apply
- Sallie offers a $2,000 No Essay Scholarship you can apply for in minutes.
What are veteran scholarships?
Veteran scholarships are financial awards created to support former service members, active-duty personnel transitioning to civilian life, and—in many cases—their spouses or dependents. They’re basically free money for school, because you don’t ever need to repay them. Winning veteran scholarships can help you reduce out-of-pocket costs for college, graduate school, technical training, or professional certifications.
Veteran scholarships may be offered by nonprofit organizations, private foundations, military associations, and schools themselves. Awards vary widely, from a few hundred dollars to full tuition.
Why scholarships matter for veterans
Even with military education benefits, many veterans discover that tuition, fees, books, and living expenses add up. Scholarships help bridge this gap. They can:
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Reduce reliance on loans *Cover costs the GI Bill doesn’t
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Support retraining for new civilian career paths
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Fund online or hybrid programs that fit your schedule
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Provide additional support for disabled or transitioning veterans
These awards give veterans more flexibility — and more financial breathing room — while pursuing their next step.
How to qualify for veteran scholarships
While each program has its own criteria, most veteran scholarships look for:
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Proof of service: DD214, military ID, discharge papers, or similar documentation
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Enrollment in an eligible program: College, university, vocational school, certificate program, or apprenticeship
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Academic requirements: Some scholarships require a minimum GPA
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Status: Active duty, honorably discharged, reservist, or National Guard
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Additional criteria: Field of study, financial need, disability status, or community service
Pro tip: You can apply for veteran scholarships in addition to other aid sources — including Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), Pell Grants, and private scholarships.
Scholly Scholarships
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Find scholarships that are right for you
Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.
Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.
How to apply for veteran scholarships
Follow these steps to streamline your scholarship search and applications:
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Gather your documents early
Include your DD214, academic transcripts, resume, and any letters of recommendation. -
Complete the FAFSA®
Some scholarships require proof of federal financial aid eligibility — and it unlocks additional funding opportunities. -
Use scholarship search tools platforms like Scholly Scholarships
They can match you to scholarships you qualify for, helping you apply faster and more efficiently. -
Apply to multiple scholarships
Smaller awards add up — and they’re often less competitive.
Pro tip: Check out Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships to apply to multiple scholarships with just one application! -
Track deadlines
Many veteran scholarships have fall or spring deadlines, while others accept rolling applications.
Additional resources for veterans
Scholarships by major
Veterans often pursue degrees that build on their military training — such as engineering, cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, business, or criminal justice. This list helps you find scholarships tailored to your chosen field of study, making it easier to translate your service experience into a civilian career with strong financial support.
Scholarships for high school seniors
If you’re a veteran with a child preparing for college, this is a powerful resource. Many scholarships on this list are open to dependents of veterans or active duty service members. These awards can help your family reduce college costs as they transition into the next chapter of their education.
Scholarships for college students
Many veterans begin college after separating from service, and this list highlights scholarships that support you throughout your entire academic journey — not just your first year. Whether you’re earning your first degree or heading back to finish what you started, these ongoing opportunities can help supplement or extend your GI Bill® benefits.
Scholarships for first-generation students
Many veterans are the first in their family to attend college. This list shares scholarships designed to support first-generation students as they navigate higher education, offering extra financial and academic support.
Scholarships for adults
Perfect for veterans returning to school after years of service. These scholarships support adult learners, career changers, and nontraditional students — especially those balancing school with work, family responsibilities, or military transition programs. They can also supplement veteran education benefits.
Scholarships for women
Women veterans are one of the fastest growing student groups — and often face unique challenges transitioning to civilian careers. This list highlights scholarships that empower women pursuing degrees in leadership, STEM, healthcare, business, and other fields where women veterans continue to break barriers.
LGBTQ+ scholarships
LGBTQ+ veterans can access scholarships that recognize both their service and their identity. This list features awards that support LGBTQ+ students seeking inclusive educational environments and financial resources tailored to their needs during the civilian transition.
Scholarships by state
Each state offers its own veteran-focused or military-connected scholarships — many with higher approval rates or fewer applicants. This list helps you find local awards you may uniquely qualify for as a veteran, active duty service member, National Guard/Reserve member, or military family.
Gi Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Frequently asked questions
These tips can help as you get ready to apply for veteran scholarships.
When are scholarship application deadlines?
There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track of dates and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines of scholarships that you want to apply to.
Do you need to know which college you’re attending?
You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. However, once you’re awarded scholarships, some of them may ask for eligibility verification—which can include proof of college enrollment.
Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can apply for?
Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out!
Pro tip: Apply for scholarships each year you’re in college.
Does every scholarship application require an essay?
Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay—different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays.
Need more money for college?
Private student loans can help you cover additional costs for school.
More resources to explore
Tips for writing scholarship essays
Get tips for writing scholarship essays. Learn what makes a good scholarship essay.
Find scholarship resources
Explore our scholarship resources, articles, and guide to get all the tips and tricks to help pay for college.
Fill out the FAFSA®
Learn when and how to apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to maximize your chances of getting federal student financial aid. Get tips now.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.
FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.