Top scholarships for veterans

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship designed to fulfill a financial gap remaining after all federal and state educational grants or scholarships available to an eligible applicant have been utilized. Those who may apply are children of U.S. military members who died while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001; and children of post-9/11 veterans having been assigned a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater by the Department of Veterans Affairs also qualify. Each needs-based scholarship provides up to $20,000 for children of the fallen, and up to $5,000 for children of the disabled for undergraduate or post-graduate college. Recipients may reapply for additional annual awards up to six times. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information about the program and the required materials that must be submitted depending on the student's eligibility.

The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Texas offers a scholarship award to a resident of Texas, child or grandchild of a Veteran who served in the Armed Forces during eligibility dates for membership in the American Legion: (1) April 6, 1917 through November 11, 1918 (WWI); (2) Any time after December 12, 1941 - All Wars or Conflicts. Selection of recipients shall be based upon goal, character, citizenship, need, objective, and war service of their father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, great-grandfather, or great-grandmother. Applicants must be in their senior year of high school for the 2024-2025 year. Three letters of recommendation are required: (1) from the principal or Counselor of the school from which the applicant is a graduate, or from the advisor or instructor of the current college or university; (2) from a representative citizen, certifying to the applicant's character, Americanism, and scholarship; (3) from the applicant's choice. If anyone is having trouble finding an available unit, the application can be mailed to Department Headquarters at ALA Department of Texas, or by mailing to the Department Education Chairman, Linda Malsbary. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The PA Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program (PEGP) PEGP honors individuals who lost their lives protecting the citizens of Pennsylvania by helping their children fund their education. PEGP provides a waiver for eligible costs charged by public postsecondary institutions. To be considered for a PEGP waiver, applicants must be a child by birth or adoption of a police officer, firefighter, rescue or ambulance squad member, corrections facility employee, or active National Guard member who died after January 1, 1976, as a direct result of performing their official duties; or be a child by birth or adoption of a sheriff, deputy sheriff, National Guard member, or other individual who was on federal or state active military duty who died after September 11, 2001, as a direct result of performing their official duties. Applicants must be enrolled at a community college, state-owned institution, or state-related institution as an undergraduate student pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree. Applicants must complete the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the 2024-25 Pennsylvania State Grant application process. Applications may be submitted through email, fax, or mail. Please visit the award's website for more information.

..The Douglas J.J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance to United States armed forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, and their son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, or spouse attending a Maryland postsecondary institution. Applicants must have been accepted for admission or enrolled in a regular undergraduate program at an eligible institution, or be accepted for admission or enrolled in a 2-year terminal certificate program in which the course work is acceptable for transfer credit for an accredited baccalaureate program at an eligible institution. The award is renewable for up to four years of full-time attendance or eight years of part-time attendance. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 57 Conway Scholarship is open to assist military veterans who have qualified as a disabled veteran under the Veterans Administration guidelines. Students must submit paperwork from either the Veterans Administration or their County Veterans Assistance office as proof of the disability. Any military veteran who has qualified with the Veterans Administration as a disabled veteran regardless of the percentage or type of disability would qualify.

The Edward O. Nesheim Memorial Scholarship was created by his daughter, Sonja Adahl, in 2008 to honor the memory of her late father. The scholarship may be used at any post secondary institution of higher education granting Associate or higher degrees. Applicants must be a direct descendant (child, grandchild or great-grandchild) of a U.S. veteran who served honorably. Proof of service and lineage are required. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in some phase of Agriculture, Human Nutrition, or Medicine (Medical Dr, PA, Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy or Chiropractic.) High school seniors may apply. Applicants must submit three letters of reference; all from non-family members, and one of which must be from a U.S. veteran who served honorably. The recipient has two years to use the award which will be sent to the recipient's chosen institution along with instructions to utilize one-half of the award for each of 2 semesters. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Legion Department of North Dakota for more information.

The purpose of the Minnesota American Legion Memorial Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students to further their education in any Minnesota university, college, vocational school, or other accredited institutions of higher education, or in states with a Minnesota reciprocity agreement. Applicants shall be a legal descendent of a Veteran member of the American Legion; and/or a legal descendent of an American Legion Auxiliary member. Applicants shall be a high school graduate upon receipt of the scholarship, and must meet the academic standards of the school they will be attending. Applicants must have a good record of school and community citizenship, indicate their loyalty to their country, and show the qualities of initiative and desire to pursue an education beyond high school. The scholarship award is for one year only, but applications may be made for aid in succeeding years, should no applications be received for the first year studies. Applicants must submit at least two letters of recommendation. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Richard Leffingwell Scholarship is open to students pursuing a course of student in business, economics, or other disciplines that will serve the applicant in achieving goals related to nonprofit or public service. All else being equal, military veterans will receive favorable consideration. Applicants must contact the Financial Aid Office for more information and inquiries about the application.

The John C. Dice Memorial Scholarship is open to a rising 2L or 3L student at the CCH School of Law who is a U.S. Military Veteran with an interest in Criminal Defense and intent to practice law, in whole or in part, in the area of Criminal Defense upon graduation.