Veterans have access to various scholarship and grant opportunities that can lessen the financial burden of pursuing ongoing education. These unique financial aid programs are sometimes also available to military families, which may include dependents or spouses of veterans.
If you’re a veteran who’s enrolling in college or have a dependent in your family who’s collegebound, we’ve created this guide to scholarships and grants for veterans to get you started.
Key Points
• Military scholarships are often available to veterans, active duty service members, and their dependents, such as spouses and children.
• These scholarships help cover tuition, fees, and other educational expenses, reducing the financial burden of higher education.
• Some scholarships require a commitment to continue serving in the military or working in specific fields post-graduation, like health care or public service.
• Military scholarships often have streamlined applications, but may require proof of service or military affiliation.
• In addition to military scholarships, students can apply for traditional scholarships, grants, and federal and private student loans to help cover the cost of college.
Best Scholarships for Military Veterans
There are many scholarship programs available for military veterans and their dependents, all of which have different eligibility and application requirements. Below are just a handful of scholarships for veterans, or their dependents or spouses, that offer awards that are $2,000 or higher.
• Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship: The Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program that’s available to active duty and veteran military service members, including their current or surviving spouses. The average recipient receives approximately $10,000 per academic year and awards are renewable as long as you maintain eligibility requirements.
• Folds of Honor Scholarship: The Folds of Honor Scholarship is available to dependents and spouses of a qualifying service member. Dependents must be enrolled in an accredited institution, a certificate- or license-granting technical, or a trade school program. The scholarship offers $5,000 per academic year, which is disbursed in amounts up to $2,500 per term. Awards are renewable, but recipients must reapply for each academic year.
• AMVETS Scholarships: AMVETS Scholarships are a need-based program that’s open to veterans, active duty, and National Guard and Reserve service members and their families. The maximum award is $12,000. Applicants must be studying toward an undergraduate degree and meet other eligibility requirements.
• Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship: Recipients of a Purple Heart who are members of the organization and their families — including spouses, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — can apply for this scholarship program. Scholarship amounts vary each year and are based on available funding.
Another scholarship option is SoFi’s scholarship sweepstakes. It offers one $2,500 scholarship award per month over a 12-month period. Entry is available to SoFi members who are at least 17 years old and enrolled in an accredited, nonprofit, Title IV four-year college or university in the U.S. You can enter once per monthly scholarship period. Awards are sent directly to the winner’s school and can be used toward your cost of attendance.
Grants for Veterans
Grants are another type of college financial aid which doesn’t need to be repaid. Some grants require applicants to meet specific eligibility criteria. If your military family fits the program’s application requirements, a grant award can help make college costs more accessible.
Below are two grants veterans or their family members may qualify for.
The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is a federal grant that’s offered by the U.S. Department of Education. It’s uniquely available to students whose parent or guardian died in active duty while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, post-9/11. The available award is equal to the maximum Federal Pell Grant during the award year; in 2024-25 the amount is $7,395.
To qualify, veteran dependents must meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements but must not have received a Federal Pell Grant award in the same year. Additionally, recipients must have been under 24 years old or at least a part-time college student at the time of their parent or guardian death.
General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant
The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant is provided by the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS). Children under 24 years old who are dependents of qualifying U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force members, as well as legally married spouses of Air Force or Space Force service members, can apply. Award amounts vary based on the recipient’s financial need.
Applicants must have graduated high school and be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited school that participates in federal aid programs. You must maintain a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.0 and not be a graduate or professional student, veteran, or military branch member, including the National guard or Reserves.
Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits
Veterans have earned a slew of education benefits that can help them — and under some programs, their families — financially pursue higher education or career training. The list of programs you might have access to through Veterans Affairs (VA) include:
• Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty
• Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve
• Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Reserve Educational Assistance Program
• Post-Vietnam era Education Assistance Program
• National Call to Service
• Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
Depending on your service background, you might be eligible for multiple VA education benefit programs. Additionally, you can receive financial support to help pay for books and supplies, test fees for licenses or certifications, national exam fees, and more.
Recommended: What Are Student Loans for Military Dependents?
Grants for Active Duty Servicemembers
Financial aid grants aren’t just for veterans and their families. Service members can also apply for grant programs while in active duty.
One option to explore is the Federal Pell Grant, which is available to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and are enrolled in a U.S. school. As a federal financial aid program, applying for a Pell Grant only takes submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you qualify, the maximum Pell Grant award for the 2024-25 academic year is $7,395, though this award might vary year over year.
Recommended: How to Complete the FAFSA Step by Step
Can I Get a Scholarship if My Grandfather Was in the Military?
GI Bill benefits are reserved for the service member’s education or that of their spouse or children. However, grandchildren of military service members also have access to some scholarships for veterans.
For example, the AMVETS Scholarship is also available to grandchildren of veterans and active duty U.S. military members. Grandchildren of active duty National Guard or Reserves members are also eligible.
What Qualifies You as a Veteran for FAFSA?
Unlike the criteria for veteran status under the VA, the FAFSA defines veterans as a service member who served in active duty for a minimum of one day and was released.
The condition for release must not be dishonorable discharge. Time spent by service members in basic training — except those in the National Guard and Reservists — also qualifies as active duty under the FAFSA.
The Takeaway
Utilizing your VA education benefits, including all eligible GI Bill benefits, is the first step you can take to help pay for college costs. Applying for scholarships for veterans, or for dependents or spouses of veterans, can make higher education or career training accessible for you and your family.
In addition to military scholarships, you can apply for traditional scholarships and grants to help pay for college. You can also apply for federal student loans and private student loans.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
Does the VA offer college scholarships?
Yes, the VA offers college scholarships through programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA). These scholarships help cover tuition and education costs for veterans, active duty service members, and their dependents, providing financial support for higher education and career advancement opportunities.
Can veterans apply for FAFSA?
Yes, veterans can apply for the FAFSA. In fact, some grants and scholarships for veterans require a submitted FAFSA for the award year as part of their application requirements.
What is it called when the VA pays for college?
The VA benefit that pays for service members’ college and training expenses is called the GI Bill. The Department of Veteran Affairs website offers a helpful GI Bill Comparison Tool that lets you see and compare GI Benefits across approved institutions.
Photo credit: iStock/SDI Productions
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