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Scholarships
Top veteran scholarships for you
Find scholarships for veteran that can help you pay for college.
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What are veteran scholarships?
Veteran scholarships are financial aid for college created specifically for veteran students. Veteran scholarships can help students attain higher education opportunities that otherwise may be out of reach due to financial reasons. All scholarships are free money for college that you don’t have to pay back.
Eligibility requirements for veteran scholarships
Before you apply for veteran scholarships, make sure you check the eligibility requirements. Some common eligibility requirements may include your GPA, community service, citizenship, plan to attend an accredited program, leadership potential, and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Scholarship eligibility requirements vary, so don’t assume you won’t qualify. Check them out!
Are veteran scholarships worth my time?
Some scholarships are quick and easy to apply for. Others require time and effort. Typically, fewer students apply to scholarships that require work which means you could have better odds of winning.
Pro tip: Don’t skip over scholarships for veteran with smaller award amounts ($). There’s typically less competition for them—and they add up!
How do I find veteran scholarships?
There are many resources to help you find scholarships for veteran.
Scholarship resources
- The financial aid office at a college or career school
- Organizations (such as professional associations) related to your field of interest
- Federal agencies
- Free scholarship search engine tools like Scholly Scholarships
- Local libraries, businesses, or associations
Your high school guidance office is a great place to start when looking for local scholarships. You could also try doing a search for your city’s name and “community foundation,” or the county you live in and “foundation.”

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Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.
Veteran scholarships
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The Scholarships360 $10,000 "No Essay" Scholarship
Due: 6/30/2025
No Essay
$10,000
POW-MIA Tuition Benefit Program
Due: Varies
No Essay
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
Amount varies
The POW-MIA Tuition Benefit Program is open to any child born or adopted before or during the period his or her parent was officially declared a prisoner of war (POW) or person missing in action (MIA) after Jan. 1, 1960. The child must attend either a public or private institution in NJ. A copy of DD 1300 must be furnished with the application. Please contact the Veterans Benefits Bureau for more information and inquiries about the application.
Foundation of the 1st Cavalry Division Association Scholarship
Due: Varies
No Essay
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
$4,800
These grants are reserved for children of those Soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division who died or were totally and permanently disabled as a result of wounds received or disease contracted while serving with the 1st Cavalry Division in any armed conflict and children of members of the Association who die while serving with the 1st Cavalry Division in peacetime. The scholarships currently provide $1,200 per year with a maximum of $4,800 for four years of schooling per student. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)-VA
Due: Varies
No Essay
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
$1,488
If you're the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has Disability, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program, also called Chapter 35. The applicant must be 18 years old or older, or they must have completed high school or secondary education. The recipients will receive a monthly payment to help them cover the cost of these programs: College or graduate degree programs, Career-training certificate courses, Apprenticeships, and On-the-job training. They may also get educational and career counseling. Your monthly rate (or payment amount) will be based on these 2 factors: (A) The type of education or training you're getting, and (B) How many courses you're taking - or how far along you are in your on-the-job training or apprenticeship program. For the application process, applicants will need to prepare their Social Security number, their Sponsor's Social Security number, basic information about the school or training facility they want to attend, bank account direct deposit information, and their education history. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for more information.
Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship Program
Due: 5/15/2025
No Essay
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
Amount varies
The Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship Program awards tuition assistance to the children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio Veterans who served in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict. The scholarship may be awarded to students attending Ohio public institutions, who will be funded 83 percent of tuition and general fees; and students attending private institutions, who will receive an annual award amount of $6,490 for the year. To receive scholarship benefits, a student must be pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree at an eligible college or university. Students may receive benefits covering a maximum of 15 quarters or 10 semesters. If a student has a learning Disability, they would be eligible to receive the scholarship for 20 semesters and 30 Quarters, along with having the cumulative GPA requirement of 2.0 waived. However, the student's institution must send confirmation of this status by email to the WOS Program Manager before approving the waiver or exception. Students may apply online or submit their paper applications through mail. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program
Due: 5/1/2025
No Essay
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
Amount varies
The Massachusetts Public Service Grant was established for students who have experienced the loss of a parent and/or spouse who is killed or missing in the line of public service duty in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Public Service Grant Program is the only scholarship program not based on demonstrated financial need, but rather entitlement. Applicants must be enrolled in a certificate, associate's or bachelor's degree program at an eligible institution. An eligible institution is defined as a public or independent college or university in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is authorized by the Commonwealth to offer undergraduate degree programs. Applicants must be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional and federal standards Applicants must be able to provide the necessary documentation to evidence one of the following conditions: (1) Child or widowed spouse of a Massachusetts Police Officer, Firefighter or Corrections Officer who was killed or died from injuries received while performing his or her duties. This shall also include authorized training duty. (2) Child of a Prisoner of War Military Service Person Missing in Action in Southeast Asia whose war time service was credited to the Commonwealth and whose service was between February 1, 1955 and the termination of the Vietnam campaign. (3) Child of a Veteran whose service was credited to the Commonwealth and who was killed in action or died as a result of such service. Applications may be submitted through mail or email. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance for more information.
American Legion Auxiliary Department of Idaho Traditional Nurses Scholarship
Due: 6/1/2025
No Essay
No min. GPA Required
$1,000
One American Legion Auxiliary Department of Idaho Traditional Nurses Scholarship will be awarded to those who are direct descendants of Veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during eligibility dates for membership in The American Legion and were honorably discharged. Membership in The American Legion Family is not required to apply for this scholarship. The eligible dates are April 6, 1917 through November 11, 1918 (WWI); and December 7, 1941 (WWll) to the present. Applicants must be in their senior year of high school. A well-written letter of application to the ALA scholarship committee must be submitted. Letters of recommendation from either a high school counselor or principal; a non-family business person, teacher or clergyman who knows the applicant well; or a non-family adult to vouch for character, conduct, leadership, and citizenship of the applicant must also be submitted. High school transcript including ACT or SAT scores are also required. Complete application must be received by local unit by May 1, 2025. Then, the completed application must be submitted to the Department Education Chairman by June 1, 2025. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve Program
Due: Varies
No Essay
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
$466
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you're a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit. Applicants must have a 6-year service obligation (they agreed to serve 6 years) in the Selected Reserve; or they are an officer in the Selected Reserve and they agreed to serve 6 years in addition to their initial service obligation. Applicants must also complete their initial active duty for training (IADT). They must also get a high school diploma or certificate of equal value, like a High School Equivalency Diploma or GED, before finishing their IADT. Applicants must also stay in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit. The monthly rate (or payment amount) will be based on these 2 factors: (A) The type of education or training the applicant is getting, and (B) How many courses they're taking-or how far along they are in your on-the-job training or apprenticeship program. A different application is used for those who already started their training. Please visit the award's website or contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for more information.
Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program
Due: Varies
No Essay
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
Amount varies
If you have served at least one year of federal active duty service in the Armed Forces of the United States; or served on federal active duty service in a foreign country during a time of hostilities in that country and were honorably discharged after your most recent period of federal active duty service; and/or are honorably serving, you may be eligible for the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program. Any member of the Illinois National Guard or a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States who meets the eligibility requirements is considered a qualified applicant for the IVG Program. Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit an IVG Program application if they anticipate attending college at any point in the future. To be considered eligible, applicants must satisfy one of the four categories of Illinois residency requirements, which can be seen in the program's website. Applicants must notify their college's financial aid office of their eligibility status as soon as possible, but not later than the last scheduled day of classes in the term for which a grant is requested. Applications for the IVG Program can be submitted any time during the academic year for which assistance is being requested. The complete information about the program and the list of eligible schools are available on the program's website. Please visit the program's website or contact ISAC for more information.
Minnesota State Veterans' Dependents Assistance Program
Due: Varies
No Essay
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
$250
The Minnesota State Veterans' Dependents Assistance Program is open to students who are dependents of persons considered to be prisoners of war or persons missing in action - as defined by the Department of Defense -after August 1, 1958. The student must be one of the following: 1. The spouse of a prisoner of war or person missing in action. 2. A child born before or during the time the parent served as a prisoner of war or was declared a person missing in action. 3. A child legally adopted or in the parent's legal custody before and during the time the parent served as a prisoner of war or was declared a person missing in action. Please visit the award's website for more information.
What types of scholarships are available for students?
Need-based scholarships
These are scholarships for students who have demonstrated a financial need. There’s no universal number or set income level that tells you if you qualify. How each scholarship defines what financial need means varies. The federal government as well as specific organizations, corporations, and colleges/universities/schools offer need-based scholarships.
Merit scholarships
Merit scholarships are for students who have shown high academic, athletic, or extracurricular achievement over their high school careers. Not all schools/colleges offer merit-aid—highly selective schools typically don’t. The process for applying for merit scholarships varies. For merit scholarships offered through colleges and universities, you generally don’t have to do anything other than complete the application to the school itself. For some schools, you need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to be eligible.
Career-specific grants or scholarships
These are awarded to students who know they want a career in a specific industry. Maybe they know they want to be a teacher, a nurse, or an engineer. To be eligible for grants, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). To find career-specific scholarships, try searching for your major and “association.”
Community or nonprofit scholarships
Nonprofit and community organizations often receive funding from donors to create scholarship programs for students who need them.
Tips for successful scholarship applications
- Pull together everything you need for the application including transcripts, so you can submit a complete scholarship application.
- You may need a recommendation letter or letters for a scholarship. Ask a teacher, employer, or someone else who knows you to write one for you—and be sure to give them enough time to do it.
- If you’re writing a scholarship essay, follow the prompt, answer the essay question completely, and write from your experience. A few well-written essays that you can reuse for different scholarship applications can really pay off.
- Highlight your strengths and achievements in your application.
- Talk about your financial need and what you would use the scholarship money for if you won. How would it help?
- Have to interview for a scholarship? Dress to impress in a professional outfit. And do your research! Look into how/why the scholarship was created. Try to bring up why it’s meaningful to you. Also, don’t forget to send a thank-you note afterwards.
- Keep track of all the deadlines for the scholarships you’re applying to. If you miss one, they may not extend the due date.
- Apply for scholarships year after year, all through college. As you continue your studies, gain more experience, and try new extracurricular activities in college, you might be eligible for more scholarships you weren’t originally qualified for.
Here are more tips that can help you understand all there is to know about scholarships and up your chances of winning.
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.
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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.
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