Scholarship Opportunities for Veterans and Their Families

Last updated: August 12, 2022

If you’re a veteran who has served in the United States military, you and your family qualify for a number of scholarships and grants that will help cover the cost of higher education. As an opportunity to thank the men and women who have served their country, many organizations and schools offer scholarships to help veterans earn an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Whether you’re looking into schools for yourself, a spouse or a family member, you can find the financial support and resources you need regardless of military branch. Follow this guide to find out how you can apply for financial aid and use our interactive tool to sort through over 80 scholarships for veterans based on type and award amount.

Regardless of the branch of military you served, there are many opportunities available to help you pay for college such as government programs, student loans and scholarships—find the best combination that works for you!

How to Pay for College

1

The Post-9/11 GI Bill

Veterans with an honorable discharge who served in the military for at least 90 days after September, 10, 2001 are eligible to receive education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Bill. The funds that you receive are based off of the amount of time served. Although the GI Bill is a great opportunity for veterans, there are caps to the budget, so it may not cover the entire cost of attending college.

 
2

The Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program provides money to veterans who plan to attend private schools or graduate programs that cost more than what the post-9/11 GI Bill allows. To find out if you’re college or university participates in the program, use the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs information page.

 
3

Scholarships

There are thousands of scholarships available for military veterans, which are awarded by organizations, private companies, societies and more.

 
4

Student Loans

You can borrow money from the government or a bank, but it needs to be paid back with interest. The federal government offers many loan options—fill out the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for financial aid. If you’re having any trouble answering the questions, you can refer to our FAFSA step-by-step guide.

 
 

Get Free Information For Your Degree

 
 
 

If you’re just beginning the process of finding suitable scholarships, make sure you’re prepared for the application process by starting a folder with the assets below.

Scholarship Application Preparation

For most scholarships, you’ll have to provide proof that you’re a student veteran with an honorable discharge by submitting your DD-214. If you’re a student on Active Duty, you’ll have to submit a Memorandum of Understanding from your commanding officer to show that you are in good standing.
Not all scholarships are based on GPA, but most need to verify your high school education or current college transcript to qualify. Try to get certified copies of your transcript early so you have plenty of time to meet the deadline.
Your scholarship essay is what will bring attention to your application out of the pool of applicants. That’s why it’s important to craft a stand out piece that attests to your experience, adheres to the scholarship guidelines and most importantly, highlights your true personality.
Letters of recommendation are a true judgement of your character—something that can’t be revealed through your test scores or transcript. Reach out to former professors, advisors or supervisors so that they can speak to your qualifications. You may also want to provide them with a resume that outlines your achievements as well.
 

Scholarship Opportunities for Veterans

Instructions: Use the filters below to sort through scholarships that are available for veterans or families of veterans who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, National Guard, or Coast Guard.