Given the sheer number of possibilities, navigating the financial aid waters may be intimidating for anybody – but especially for veterans and service members. This guide helps people identify the correct financial aid programs and prevent deadly fraud by removing ambiguity. It not only covers Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits and other federal programs but also fellowships and grants that can be used to complement GI Bill® benefits. Thousands of dollars in financial assistance are turned back to their sponsors each year owing to a lack of candidates.
Continue reading to learn about all of the possibilities for lowering out-of-pocket education expenses. Many military scholarship awards can be combined with GI Bill funds, although in the case of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, any financial assistance received that must be applied to education may diminish the amount paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
1. Post-9/11 Grant
Because education is a vital component of being a service member, the Department of Defense offers a variety of financial aid programs to people serving (or who have fought) on active military or in the Selected Reserve. The most well-known programs are listed below. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, which began on August 1, 2009, is by far the most comprehensive GI Bill ever. Veterans who qualify can get up to 36 months of financing to attend a technical or public/private post-secondary institution. Participating on active duty for 90 days establishes minimum eligibility for a share of the money (40 per cent).
Most veteran scholarship prizes can be combined with GI Bill funds, although in the case of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, any financial assistance received that must be applied to education may diminish the amount paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Each additional six months of duty increases eligibility; full eligibility is achieved after three years of service. The pay structure of this GI Bill is one of its distinguishing features. For qualifying veterans in the 100 per cent category, the VA pays tuition costs directly to VA-approved institutions in full (for public schools) or up to $2I,970.46 per year (for private schools).
Provided By: US Department of Veterans Affairs
Amount: 1000 USD
Education Level: Veterans
Deadline: Varies
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2. General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant
The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program is at the heart of AFAS education assistance. The Arnold Education Grant application process acts as a springboard for additional important educational support possibilities at the Society. The Hap Arnold Education Grant is comparable in terms of its needs-based eligibility criteria, and it is specifically intended to recognize the right balancing of family income and educational costs. Each year, qualifying Air Force dependents get grants varying from $500 to $4,000. The amount given is determined by the student’s financial necessity. A unique element of this program is that each grant winner receives the name of a people or organization who has exemplified service to the USAF, as well as biographical details.
Provided By: AFAS
Amount: 500 – 4000 USD
Education Level: Dependent sons and daughters of active duty
Deadline: Varies
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3. AFCEA Military Personnel Scholarships
The AFCEA Educational Foundation is dedicated to assisting US military people in their academic pursuits. Who traveled abroad in support of one of the Overseas Contingency Operations (Operation Enduring Freedom; Operation Iraqi Freedom; Operation New Dawn; Operation Inherent Resolve; Operation Freedom’s Sentinel). Recipients must be presently registered and taking courses in an appropriate STEM major degree program at an authorized four-year college or university in the United States, either part-time or full-time (see eligibility section paragraph 4 for list of acceptable STEM majors). Online classes or online programs affiliated with a major U.S. university qualify. Scholarships are awarded based on funds availability. Scholarships are only available for fees and course-related expenditures such as fees, books, materials, and gear that are required for university courses.
Provided By: AFCEA
Amount: 2,500 USD
Education: High School Graduate
Deadline: November 30
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4. AMVETS Scholarship
Each year, seven AMVETS Scholarships worth up to $4,000 are offered to active serving military people, honourably retired veterans, volunteers, spouses, and children or grandchildren who can establish a financial need for tuition help to attend an approved degree program. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, be United States citizens, show proof of active duty or veteran status, and not be in arrears on any federal student loans to be considered. Veterans and spouses who want to start or develop their careers in skilled professions can apply for Generation T Scholarships. From February 22 through April 30, 2021, eligible candidates can apply for the Spring semester. From July 19 until September 24, 2021, applications are invited.
Veteranpreneur business grants are available to experienced tradespeople who want to start their own firm in the skilled professions. From February 22 until September 24, 2021, applications will be accepted. Our nation’s Veterans, Active Duty, Guard, and Reserves, as well as their wives, kids, and grandchildren, are eligible for scholarships from the AMVETS National Service Foundation. AMVETS scholarships are intended to fill a financial gap when all federal/state educational grants or scholarships available to the candidate have been exhausted. Candidates who meet all qualifying conditions collect all required documents and handle the required online application.
Provided By: AMVETS
Amount: 4000 USD
Education: High School Graduate
Deadline: September 24
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5. Army Woman’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship
The Army Women’s Foundation (AWF) understands the value of education and the role it plays in achieving personal, intellectual, and financial goals. The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program helps past and ongoing female troops, as well as their lineal descendants, achieve their educational aspirations. Certificate Programs, Community College Courses, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees are all covered under the AWF Legacy Scholarship Program. Scholarships are only given to students who have completed coursework at authorized universities.
Merit, academic potential, a personal statement, community work, letters of recommendation, and financial need are all factors considered when awarding scholarships. The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship programme awards up to $2,500 to female undergraduate or graduate students at authorised United States schools who are currently or have participated in the United States Army, United States Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. Candidates with a 3.0 GPA or above must submit an application form, essay, transcript, recommendations, and evidence of active duty or veteran status from a commanding officer.
Provided By: AWF
Amount: 2,500 USD
Education: High School Graduate
Deadline: January 21
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6. Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
The Freedom Alliance Scholarship fund is for the children of military personnel who have been killed or permanently disabled in a combat mission or training accident. Students wishing to apply for a Freedom Alliance scholarship should review the following criteria to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the Freedom Alliance Board of Directors. Applicants should be the dependent son or daughter of a US Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Guardsman, or Marine who has been killed in action.
Become 100% total & permanently disabled as a direct result of a combat mission, with priority given to those who have a single combat-related disability rated at 70% or more. This does not apply to Servicemembers who are Silver Star or Purple Heart Medal recipients as they only need and combined 100% Total and Permanent disability rating. (Qualifying parent must have received an Honorable Discharge.) Been classified as a Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA).
Provided By: Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Education: High School Graduate
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7. Spouse Tuition Assistance Program
Tuition support programmes for military wives (and, in some cases, dependent children) are available to help them pay for school both at home and when stationed with the service member overseas. Military spouse tuition help used to be recognized as just that – each branch of the military has supplied a program that either included Spouse Tuition Assistance rules or was developed to offer something comparable at one point or another. Military spouses seeking financial assistance should look into the choices available to them based on the branch of service with which they have linked thanks to the service member. If you are married to a military member from one branch of service which is assigned to a base managed by a different branch, you may or may not have to be closely correlated with the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. In such instances, don’t assume that your options are limited; it never hurts to ask.
Provided By: Military Benefits
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Yet to be Updated
Education: High School Graduate
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8. Huebner Scholarship
Huebner Scholarships are competitive grants available for children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of ex-leaders of the Division as well as young kids of active-duty 1st Infantry Brigade soldiers. They are named after Lieutenant General Clarence L. Huebner, who commanded the Big Red One during WWII.
Provided By: Society of 1stInvantry Division
Amount: 10,000 USD
Education: High School
Deadline: Yet to be updated
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9. Imagine America Military Award Program
The Imagine America Military Award Program (MAP) is intended to assist military personnel in obtaining career education and transitioning from military to civilian life. In 2004, the Imagine America Foundation launched a national aid program that provides a $1,000 career education award to any qualified active-duty, reserve, honourably discharged, or retired member of a US military service branch who attends participating professional colleges. We encourage you to take advantage of this scholarship option if you’re interested in obtaining training from a participating career college.
Provided By: Imagine America Foundation
Amount: 1000 USD
Education: Veterans
Deadline: Yet to be updated
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10. Marine Corps Scholarship
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation provides life-changing educational opportunities for the children of active serving, reserve, and veteran US Marines, as well as Navy Corpsmen who have served with Marines in all 50 states and overseas. Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above, a family adjusted gross income of less than $93,000 for the current tax year, and plans to attend an accredited undergraduate university in the United States.
Provided By: Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 1
Education: High School
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