Pay for your military child’s college with these scholarships

In honor of Month of the Military Child, we’ve rounded up some of the best scholarships for military children.

College isn’t cheap, unfortunately.

When you consider yearly tuition and fees are nearly $10,000 for public school and about $35,000 for private, it’s a good time to start planning now for college funding.

Whether your military child is just entering high school or plans to attend college this fall, there’s no better time to apply for scholarships.

Here’s a list of five to consider applying for as your child preps for college or tech school:

1.  AMVETS’ Scholarships

This national organization focuses on safeguarding and enhancing benefits for vets who honorably served. Aside from the variety of services offered to vets, this organization provides exceptional programs like scholarship funding to military children. The AMVETS’ Scholarships include The AMVETS Scholarship and The JROTC Scholarship.

Deadline: April 30, 2019

Amount: Varies

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a United States citizen
• Must provide evidence of active duty status or veteran status having served honorably
• Must demonstrate financial need
• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment to an eligible program
• Must not be in default on a federal student loan
• Must not be convicted under state or federal law for sale of or possession of illegal drugs

2. Heroes’ Tribute Scholarship for Children of the Fallen

The Heroes’ Tribute Scholarship Program for Children of the Fallen sponsored by the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation guarantees scholarships of $7,500 a year for four years to eligible applicants.

Amount: $30,000

Application Deadline: Check back in mid-December for 2020 scholarship details

Eligibility Criteria

• Children of Marines and veteran Marines whose parent was killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
• Children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen attached to a Marine unit whose parent was killed during a Department of Defense operation, training exercise, or domestic terrorist incident on or after September 11, 2001
• Children of Navy Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit who were killed in combat operations on or after September 27, 2008.
• Children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen attached to a Marine unit whose parent died by suicide as a result of combat related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

3. Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship

Since 1962, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has provided $120 million in scholarships to military children of Marines. Career and technical education scholarships are available year-round through this foundation. This scholarship is for students who plan to attend a 12 months or less non-degree certificate program or vocational training at a community college or private career school.

Amount: Varies

Application Deadline: Ongoing

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be a child of one of the following:

• Active duty, reserve, or honorably-discharged veteran (U.S. Marine)
• A Marine killed while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps
• Active duty, reserve, or veteran U.S. Navy Corpsman who is/was attached to a U.S. Marine unit
• A Navy Corpsman attached to a Marine unit killed while serving in the U.S. Navy

Additionally, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• GPA of at least 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale)

4. Fisher House Foundation Scholarships for Military Children

Every time a military family shops at the commissary,  they support this foundation’s scholarship program. Over the years, Defense Commissary Agency partners and vendors have awarded over $18 million in scholarship grants to students worldwide.

Amount: $2,000

Application Deadline: Check back in mid-December for 2020 scholarship details

Eligibility Criteria

• Unmarried, dependent children under the age of 23 of of active U.S. military duty personnel, reserve/guard and retired military members, or survivors of U.S. service members who died while on active duty. Or survivors of individuals who died while receiving retired pay from the military, may apply for a scholarship.
  
  
• Applicants must be enrolled, or planning to enroll, in a full-time undergraduate program for a bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. college or university.
  
  
• Applicants attending a community or junior college must be enrolled in a program of study that allows for direct transfer into a four-year program.

5. Army Nurse Corps Association (ANCA) Education Fund

Army Nurse Corps Association funds this initiative as a way to support nursing education to eligible and worthy students. Each year, ANCA awards as many as 17 scholarships to students dedicated to the field of nursing.

Amount: $3,000

Application Deadline: Check back in fall for the 2020 scholarship details

Eligibility Criteria

• Students currently enrolled in an accredited baccalaureate or advanced degree nursing or nurse anesthesia program.
• Nursing or anesthesia students whose parent(s), spouse, or child(ren) is serving or has served in a component of the US Army

Apply for Military Child Scholarships Year-Round

These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to military child college scholarships.

There are plenty of other scholarships out there, and millions go unclaimed each year. While it may be easier to fill out a loan application, when you take the time to help your child fill out scholarship applications, it can significantly reduce your child’s debt upon graduating college.

Don’t forget to fill out the free FAFSA form, too, which will automatically offer federal grants if your child is eligible.

Be sure to check out your local American Legion or Rotary Club  scholarships as well for opportunities. The competition is less fierce for local scholarships than the higher dollar national scholarships. Your child’s career counselor at school may also have a scholarship bank they recommend.  

And, remember, every scholarship counts — even the $500 ones.

Note: Some scholarship deadlines may have already closed for the 2019 year, but we encourage you to keep these scholarships bookmarked to check back for updated details!

Want to celebrate Month of the Military Child? Here’s our list of 11 ways to do it during the month of April!