There are many unique scholarships available to veterans to use either in place of, or in conjunction with, GI Bill benefits. While some of these scholarships pertain to all veterans, others may only apply to select groups, such as female veterans, for example.
Military Veteran Scholarships
- Google SVA Scholarship – Google – Up to $10,000 – If you are an honorably discharged veteran and computer science is your area of study, this is one to consider. Selectees also receive an invite to the next Google Scholar Retreat.
- ICC Military Scholarship – International Culinary Center – Up to $7,052 – While highly specialized, want-to-be chefs should look at this one. This is a private school, but when this scholarship is combined with the Post 9/11 GI Bill and Pell Grant, the out-of-pocket cost to most eligible veteran students is $0.00. Sweet!
- The Sergeant Major Douglas R. Drum Collegiate Scholarship – American Military Retirees Association (AMRA) – Up to $5,000 – There are two types of scholarships available – one for new incoming freshmen and one for returning students.
- Legacy Scholarship – Army Women’s Foundation – Up to $2,500 – Scholarship amounts vary depending on the type of school attended. Community college students and those enrolled in non-degree programs can get up to $1,000; four-year degree programs or graduate students can get up to $2,500. Women must have served or be currently serving in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
- De Anza College Scholarship – De Anza College – $2,000 – Applicant must be a combat service-connected disabled veteran. Award is based on financial need and students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 and carry a minimum of 6 credits per quarter.
- War Veterans Scholarship – Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) – Up to $2,500 – Iraq or Afghanistan disabled veterans, or active duty personnel that served in those war zones anytime from 2003 to the present, are eligible to apply. The scholarship is merit-based and can be used to pursue an undergraduate degree in one of the STEM programs. Since the money is paid directly to the school and may be applied toward tuition, fees, books and labs, it could reduce the amount the VA pays toward tuition if using the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
- Army Nurse Corps Association – Army – Up to $3,000 – Currently serving members or veterans that have previously served in the active Army, Reserves or National Guard are eligible to apply, if enrolled in a four-year program in nursing. This scholarship is different in that the student must not be receiving education benefits funded by a component of the Army, including GI Bill and ROTC benefits.
- Coast Guard Foundation Scholarships – Coast Guard – Up to $5,000 – Open to any Team Coast Guard member active or retired including Civil Service, Exchange and MWR personnel working for the Coast Guard.
There are literally hundreds of scholarships available; many go unfilled each year due to a lack of applicants. Search the ones mentioned in this article, online listings and using the search term “veteran scholarships” to seek out ones that may be applicable to your individual situation.
