Scholarships For Military-Affiliated Students
Below is a collection of scholarships specifically for military-affiliated students. Check KU's Scholarship resource page for more information and opportunities, as well as the Private and State Scholarships page.
We also highly recommend you apply for state and federal (FAFSA) financial aid, as you may be eligible for grants, including grants on top of any VA benefits. FYI, you can apply for state and federal aid beyond the priority deadlines, but it's recommended you meet the priority deadlines for the best chances at receiving any grants:
- Feb. 1: Priority deadline to file the FAFSA for next academic year (you can still apply after this date)
- May 1: Priority deadline each year for Kansans applying for state aid (you can still apply after this date)
- FAFSA page specifically for military-affiliated students
KU Military-Affiliated Scholarships
Purpose
Thanks to a donation from the Spencer C. Duncan Make it Count Foundation, we offer scholarships to help provide additional money for veterans and military for the purposes of textbooks.
Amount
Up to $250 a semester.
Eligibility
- Prior-service veterans, Guard and Reserve students
- If you are using Ch. 31 VR&E, you are not eligible since the VA pays for all your books
- If you are using Ch. 33 Post-9/11 VA benefits, we will consider expenses that exceed your VA book allowance. Please include receipts that show how you exceed the VA book stipend.
- Active duty (undergraduates only)
- ROTC students (only those not receiving any ROTC scholarships)
How to Apply
Apply for the scholarship here.
Review Periods/Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis as long as funding is available. Application reviews begin Sept. 1 and end Dec. 1 for the fall semester and begin again Feb. 1 and end May 1 (or until we run out of funding) for the spring semester.
Purpose
This is a series of donor-funded scholarships to make college more accessible and affordable for eligible military-affiliated students.
Eligibility
Full-time KU military-affiliated students on all KU campuses in good academic standing or newly admitted students for the Summer/Fall semester, in ONE of the following categories:
Military/veterans:
- Honorably discharged service member/veteran
- Current service member (Reserves and National Guard members; Active Duty undergrads)
- Honorably discharged veteran of the uniformed services with DoD or VA disability rating associated with a combat or hostile-related injury sustained in the line of duty.
- Honorably discharged veteran of the uniformed services with a service-connected DoD or VA disability rating of 50% or greater.
- Purple Heart recipient, regardless of DoD/VA disability rating.
Dependents/spouses:
- Dependents/spouses NOT using Post-9/11 VA education benefits.
- The primary caregiver of a service member or veteran with a significant service-connected disability.
- Spouse/dependent of a veteran with a DoD/VA service-connected disability rating of 100%, especially those not eligible for the Kansas Hero's Scholarship (i.e. those whose veteran parent/spouse is not a Kansas resident).
- Surviving spouse or dependent of a service member who died in the line of duty or a service member/honorably discharged veteran who died as a result of service-connected disabilities.
How to Apply
Applications are closed for 2024-25. Check back in early 2025.
Application
Applicants must provide the following in their application in PDF format. Contact us if you need help creating PDF files.:
- Resume
- Personal narrative: Provide a two-page summary discussing your academic goals and your expected time to achieve those goals. Also address how your academic goals align with your professional goals, and how the scholarship's financial gift will assist you in meeting these goals.
- Summary of military service/connection: Provide a one- to two-page summary discussing how your/your sponsor’s military service has impacted you (any information not included in your personal narrative). This summary is to be written by the student. In addition to some background info, please include:
- If you/your sponsor has a service-connected disability of 50% or greater or a Purple Heart: How the injury/illness occurred and how this has impacted your/your sponsor's life, if applicable - only to the level you are comfortable explaining.
- Military/veterans: you may also include information like duties performed, areas where you demonstrated leadership, deployments/duty stations, awards/distinctions, etc.
- Dependents/spouses: you may also include how your military affiliation has impacted your life, e.g., how many places you've lived, something you’re proud of, how the military world has shaped your career aspirations, etc.
- If there is no service-connected disability of 50% or greater or Purple Heart, include information like:
- Military/veterans: duties performed, areas where you demonstrated leadership, deployments/duty stations, awards/distinctions, etc.
- Dependents/spouses: how your military affiliation has impacted your life, e.g., how many places you've lived, something you’re proud of, how the military world has shaped your career aspirations, etc.
- If you/your sponsor has a service-connected disability of 50% or greater or a Purple Heart: How the injury/illness occurred and how this has impacted your/your sponsor's life, if applicable - only to the level you are comfortable explaining.
- One of the following: Personnel record/DD-214/NGB Form 22/DD-1300 “Report of Casualty” (excluding or redacting social security number is recommended)
- If applicable: Veteran’s percentage letter or disability rating letter from the VA.
Types of Scholarships Awarded
Scholarship amounts vary. Availability of each of these scholarships varies by year. Students will be considered for all that they are eligible for based on their submitted documents and donor intent.
- Bill & Shanthi Eckert Scholarship
- Centonzio Family Military and Veteran Scholarship
- Delbert Moore Family Scholarship
- First Command Educational Foundation Scholarship
- Global Social Impact Scholarship
- Valor Foundation Scholarship
- KAMO Adventures Scholarship
- Keener Family Scholarship
- Paul & Donna Peters Scholarship
- SCOR Scholarship for Veterans
- Scholarships for wounded, ill, injured and their families – for those with service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, caregivers, spouses/dependents of those with 100% service-connected disabilities, and spouses/dependents of those who died in the line of duty or who died as a result of service-connected disabilities.
- Student Veteran Scholarships – for exceptional servicemembers and veterans, with an emphasis on those who are/were junior enlisted. These student veterans possess strength in character, academic excellence and exceptional growth as demonstrated by their military career.
- Military Family Scholarships – dependent/spouses of current or former military who are not using Post-9/11 VA education benefits
The Military-Affiliated Community Advocates, or MACA, program offers service scholarships to military-affiliated students who support and advocate for the KU military-affiliated community in key offices across campus.
Students eligible to apply:
Students who identify as veterans, Guard, Reserves, spouses or dependents
Full-time or part-time graduate or undergraduate student
Have been at the KU-Lawrence campus for at least one year
Will be a KU student for both Fall 2024 and Spring 2025
Maintain a 2.5 cumulative or KU GPA
We have partnered with 3 offices for 2024-25. Priority deadline to apply is May 1, but applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. The program runs Sept. to May.
Outside Scholarships & Financial Aid Resources
All Military Affiliations
- Air Force Association scholarships – Military, veterans, spouses, dependents.
- AMVETS – Veterans, active duty, Guard/Reserves, children, and grandchildren of veterans.
- Army Women's Foundation scholarships – Women who have served/are serving in the Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard and their children. Applications due by January 21, 2024.
- CollegeScholarships.org – Provides links to numerous scholarship opportunities based on military service or dependent status.
- Council of College and Military Educators (CCME) – Military, veterans, spouses. Applications due mid-October.
- Fleet Reserve Association Education Foundation – Those affiliated with the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard through your own service or that of your spouse, parent, grandparent or great-grandparent. Applications due by April 15, 2024.
- Military Officers Association of America Education Assistance - Deadlines for renewal applications are due March 1, 2024.
- Tutor.com – Free on-demand, 24/7 online tutoring for DoD service members, civilian personnel, ROTC students and all dependent family members.
- Women Marines Association Scholarship – Women who served in the Marine Corps, have a family member who served in the Marine Corps, or have participated in a Marine Corps JROTC program. Applications are due by March 31, 2024.
Veterans/Military
- Army Nurse Corps Association's Scholarship program – Eligible nursing students serving/previously served in any branch of a component of the U.S. Army. Applications are due in the spring.
- Harold & Muriel Berkman Foundation scholarships - For veterans of all majors/areas or study. A couple of different scholarships - one open April 10-July 15 yearly; one open May 1-Aug. 31 yearly.
- Hill & Ponton Veteran Scholarships – For veterans who plan to enter a career field that would, in turn, help other veterans. Applications due by May 1, 2024.
- Military.com Educational Assistance Programs information -- This website has multiple different types of financial aid and scholarship opportunities for veterans and their families.
- Raytheon Patriot Scholarship – Any eligible U.S. Army student veteran. Applications are currently closed.
- VFW "Sports Clips Help A Hero Scholarship" – E-5 or below military/veterans, given twice a year. Applications for the fall semester are accepted Jan. 1 to April 30, and applications for the spring semester are accepted Aug. 1 to Nov. 15.
- Study.com Scholarship for Military Members & Veterans -- Applications are currently closed for this scholarship.
- Women's Overseas Service League – Eligible women who are committed to advancement in the military or other public service careers. Applications due by March 1, 2024.
Spouses
- Coast Guard Mutual Assistance – Loans and grants for a degree, license or certification
- Corvias Foundation scholarships – Has a database with multiple different types of scholarships available for service members and their families.
- FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program – Current spouses or surviving spouses of a uniformed service member; Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve, or retirees entitled to DEERS card possession or eligibility. Applications are currently closed, but applicants are able to sign up for the 2024 interest list and will be notified when applications reopen.
- Military One Source Spouse scholarship database -- This website has a collection of scholarships available for Military Spouses and their families.
- National Military Family Association Spouse scholarships – Available for several different types of degrees. Applications accepted year-round.
- Tillman Military Scholars – Eligible for service members, veterans, and spouses. Applications due by February 1, 2024.
Dependents & Spouses
General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant – Air Force dependents of active duty, Title 10 Reservists on extended active duty, Title 32 Guard performing full-time active duty, retired, retired Reserve and deceased Air Force members, as well as spouses of active duty and Title 10 Reservists, and widows/widowers. Applications due by April 30, 2024.
- Navy Wives Club of America – Up to 30 scholarships awarded annually, with eligibility for spouses/dependents of the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. Applications due by March 31, 2024.
- Combined Scholarship Fund of Greater Fort Riley – Applications due by March 10, 2024.
- UDT Seal Association scholarships – Dependents of members. Applications due by February 16, 2024.
Dependents
- The Society of Daughters of the United States Army – Daughter, granddaughter, stepdaughter, or adopted daughter of a career commissioned or warrant officer in the Army who is on active duty, retired after at least 20 years active duty service, was medically retired from active duty, or died while on active duty. Applications are currently closed.
All Military Affiliations
- Air Force Aid Society – Scholarships, grants, loans for veterans, spouses, dependents.
- American Legion Auxiliary Non-Traditional Student Scholarship – Veterans, spouses, dependents who are Legion members. Applications due by March 1, 2024.
- Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society – Interest-free loans and grants for veterans, spouses, dependents. Applications due by May 15, 2024.
- Women Marine Corps Association scholarships – Marines and their dependents and siblings, or those who were in Marine Corps JROTC. Applications due by March 31, 2024.
Veterans/Military
- AAPG Military Veterans Scholarship Program – Veterans in geoscience programs. Applications open February 1, 2024 until April 30, 2024.
- AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship – Veterans actively pursuing certification or licensure to teach STEM subjects. Applications due by May 1, 2024.
- Kansas Board of Regents Military Service Scholarship – Kansas-resident students who served in any military operation for which they received hostile fire pay. Priority deadline is May 1 each year. This is a restricted scholarship that pays tuition/fees directly, so if a student is Post-9/11 VA benefits eligible at the 100% rate or Ch. 31 VR&E, there is no need to apply for this when using VA benefits.
- Study.com Nursing Scholarship for Military & Veterans -- Applications due by May 1, 2024.
Spouses & Dependents
- Army Emergency Relief scholarships – Two scholarships available, one for spouses and one for dependents. Dependent scholarship applications are open February 1, 2024 until April 1, 2024.
- Chief Petty Officer Scholarship Fund – spouses/dependents of former/current Navy Chief, Senior Chief or Master Chief Petty Officers. Applications due by April 1, 2024.
- Coast Guard Foundation scholarships – Scholarship is specifically for spouses of Enlisted service members. Applications due by March 1, 2024.
- Study.com Military Spouse Scholarship -- Application due in late Spring.
Dependents
- American Legion scholarships
- Corvias Foundation scholarships – Has a database with multiple different types of scholarships available for service members and their families.
- Fisher House – Any military child whose parent(s) are serving or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Applications due by February 14, 2024.
- Gilman-McCain Scholarship – Children of current active duty military member. Used for credit-bearing study abroad or intern abroad programs. Applications are currently closed.
- Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation – Dependents of active/reserve/veteran Marines and Corpsmen attached to Marine units.
- Navy Wives Club of America – Dependents of active duty, retired or deceased enlisted Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard. Applications due by March 31, 2024.
- Scholarships for military children – Check in December of each year for program details. This website serves as a database with a collection of scholarships for military children/dependents.
- Society of the 1st Infantry Division scholarship – Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of 1st ID veterans. Applications due by May 15, 2024.
- Study.com Scholarship for Military Children -- Application due by late Spring.
- Kansas application for a waiver of tuition/fees for dependents and spouses of disabled or deceased military personnel (undergraduate students only) -- Look for the Hero's Scholarship section near the middle of the page. Application deadline for Fall 2024 is October 1, 2024.
- Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation – Scholarships and educational resources to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
- Folds of Honor scholarships – Spouses and dependents of America's fallen and disabled service members. Applications open early spring.
- Folded Flag Foundation scholarships – Spouses and dependents of U.S. military and government personnel who died as a result of hostile action or in an accident related to U.S. combat operations.
- Freedom Alliance Scholarship – Children of military personnel killed/permanently disabled in an operational mission/training accident.
- Heroes' Legacy Scholarship – Unmarried children under 23 of 100% disabled veterans or deceased military members. Applications due early spring.
- Paralyzed Veterans of America scholarships – PVA members and their immediate family members. Applications open early spring.
- Patriot Legacy Fund – Dependents under age 23 of a veteran with a VA service-connected disability of 10% or greater.
- Veterans United Foundation Scholarship – Surviving spouse or child of a deceased service member from a service-related death OR a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability. Applications are open usually the month of March.
- No Greater Sacrifice scholarships – for children of fallen/wounded servicemembers. Applications due each spring.
- Purple Heart Scholarship Program – for direct descendants of servicemember killed in the line of duty, spouses/widow(ers) of Purple Heart recipients and Purple Heart recipients who are members of MOPH and their families, including grandchildren. Applications open in the spring.
- Katherine F. Gruber and Thomas H. Miller scholarships – Spouses, dependents and grandchildren of blinded veterans. Applications due in the spring.
- Air Force Heath Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
- Air Force ROTC scholarships
- Army Reserve Minuteman scholarship
- Army Medical Scholarships, including HPSP
- Army ROTC scholarships
- DoD SMART Scholarship Program – Pays full tuition and provides housing stipend, health insurance, supply allowance, supplies, summer internships and employment placement at DoD facilities upon degree completion.
- Marine Officer Navy ROTC scholarships
- Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
- Navy ROTC scholarships
The list of outside scholarships is provided to you as a reference tool and is not an endorsement of any organization.