American Veterans Scholarships

Many scholarship programs provide financial support to American veterans. Some scholarship programs have wide geographical ability and provide support to veterans from all branches of the armed forces. Other American veteran scholarships may be limited to applicants from a specific branch of service, to applicants from a certain state -- or to veterans who are disabled.

Scholarships for All Veterans

Several scholarship programs are open to a wide variety of veteran applicants. The Pat Tillman Foundation offers scholarship money to veterans throughout the United States and from all branches of the service. The American Legion offers scholarship assistance to American veterans returning to school through the Non-Traditional Student Scholarship. Scholarships available to help American veterans pursue a specific course of study include the Troops to Teachers program and the NBCC Foundation Military Scholarship Program for veterans who wish to pursue a career in counseling services.

Scholarships by Branch

Many scholarship programs are limited to applicants who are veterans of a specific service branch. For example, the Colonel Richard A. Christie Memorial Fund offers scholarship assistance to former Marine Corps personnel. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society offers scholarship assistance to former Navy and Marine Corps personnel through the Joseph A. McAlinden Divers Scholarship and the United States Navy Centennial Scholarship Program. The Air Force Sergeant's Association offers educational grants of up to $2,000 to former Air Force personnel.

State Veteran Scholarships

Many states offer scholarship assistance to veterans who are legal state residents. For example, the Maryland Higher Education Commission offers college scholarships through the Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program. This scholarship pays the full cost of tuition for a recipient, not to exceed $19,000 per year. The New Mexico Department of Veteran Services offers full-tuition scholarships to Vietnam veterans who are legal residents of New Mexico. Be sure to check with your state for available veteran scholarship programs.

Disabled Veteran Scholarships

Some American veteran scholarship programs award money only to applicants who are disabled as a result of wartime injuries. For example, the Military Order of the Purple Heart offers scholarships of up to $3,000 to veterans who have received the Purple Heart. Sentinels of Freedom is another program that awards not only tuition assistance, but also financial assistance with other necessary purchases such as adaptive equipment and transportation.

References

• Minnesota DVA: Veteran and Family Scholarships
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: Educational Assistance
• AFSA: Scholarships
• Sentinels of Freedom: Becoming a Sentinel
• Maryland Higher Education Commission: Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program
• New Mexico Department of Veteran Services: State Benefits