Military Dependent Scholarships

Military dependents can find scholarships created to assist dependent children or spouses of military service members in pursuing their educational goals. These scholarships are designed to support and alleviate some of the financial challenges of higher education.

A variety of organizations and institutions, such as government agencies, military branches, veterans' organizations, and private foundations, offer scholarships to military dependents. These entities recognize the unique circumstances and sacrifices military families endure and aim to provide opportunities for their dependents to access quality education.

By offering these scholarships, these organizations and institutions acknowledge the importance of supporting military dependents in their educational pursuits. They understand that the financial burdens of higher education can be significant and strive to provide assistance to ease these challenges.

Military dependents can find hundreds of scholarships to apply for on Bold.org. Browse our Scholarship Blog to learn more about scholarships for military dependents!

Bold Scholarships for Military Dependents

Bold.org has hundreds of financial scholarships that help make college more affordable for both children and spouses of active duty service members, our country's retired service members, and even fallen service members honored in memory.

Eligible military children and military spouses are encouraged to apply for as many scholarships as possible to increase their chances of getting financial support to make their educational goals more financially attainable.

We've compiled a list of some of the best scholarships for those who are an immediate family member of a military service member, in which military dependents are some of the most eligible applicants:

Bryent Smothermon PTSD Awareness Scholarship

The Bryent Smothermon PTSD Awareness Scholarship is a veteran scholarship that hopes to shine a light on the effects of PTSD among military veterans. This memorial scholarship supports student veterans who were on active duty and have suffered from PTSD due to their military service.

To apply, eligible veterans must write about how their experience with military service-related PTSD has affected them and how they hope to use their experience to help other veterans currently suffering from PTSD.

• Selection Criteria: Military veteran (or child of a military veteran) graduate students or undergraduates
• Deadline: May 13, 2023
• Award Amount: $1,000 to 1 winner

Veterans Next Generation Scholarship

Roughly 47% of veterans have children who will eventually enroll in college and seek to pursue higher education. In recognition of all that veterans have done for our country, the Veterans Next Generation Scholarship seeks to provide financial support to qualified family members of veterans.

To apply for this college scholarship, undergraduates must write an essay about how being the child of a veteran has shaped their career goals.

• Selection Criteria: Must be the child of a veteran pursuing an undergraduate degree or trade school program
• Deadline: July 1, 2023
• Award Amount: $1,500 total; $750 to 1st winner, $500 to 2nd winner, & $250 to 3rd winner

Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship

Military veterans have selflessly served and risked their lives to protect the United States. As a result, many veterans and active duty members now live with disabilities or trauma, with roughly 10-20% of veterans experiencing PTSD.

The Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship is open to all students who have had mental health challenges or have had loved ones who have struggled with mental health. To apply, write a short essay about how your journey with mental health has impacted your beliefs, relationships, and aspirations.

• Selection Criteria: Any education level; students who have had challenges with mental health or who have had loved ones who have struggled with mental health
• Deadline: Jun 14, 2023
• Award Amount: $6,000 total; $2,000 to 3 winners each

For more scholarships for military spouses, children, or personnel, browse Bold.org's scholarship search tool!

Other Scholarships for Military Dependents

Consider applying for scholarships that focus on your specific major, grade level, unique background, etc. You can even apply for more general scholarships offered to all undergraduate students. Bold.org has thousands of scholarships for you to browse through, so you're bound to find one that's the best fit for you!

New scholarships are added daily! Military dependents can be notified and updated when college scholarships for veterans are added by creating a Bold.org profile.

How to Find Scholarships for Military Dependents

Military spouses and dependent children of active duty service members can find military scholarships by using the filters on the Bold.org scholarships page and browsing through the "Military" category. If you have a service-connected disability, you may even find some scholarship opportunities under the 'Disability' category for which you may be eligible.

Veterans may even be able to apply for other relevant or more general scholarship awards that can be found on Bold.org. Be sure to try all your options and utilize all the available resources and services.

Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits

The federal government is one of the biggest financial aid providers in the United States. The U.S. military offers financial assistance through "educational benefits" to its servicemen and women who wish to pursue a college education to combat the rising college tuition costs.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has many educational benefits that student veterans can take advantage of. Educational benefits to help pay for school or job training are provided to veterans primarily through two scholarship programs:

1. In June 2008, President Bush signed the Post-9/11 GI Bill into law to expand educational benefits for military veterans who have served on active duty after September 10, 2001.
2. The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) scholarship program can help pay for education and training programs for veterans who have served at least two years on active duty. Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website to see if you qualify for either of these education benefits.

However, only 43% of military undergraduates received veterans’ education benefits, while only 36% of military graduate students received veterans’ education benefits. At Bold.org, we are committed to making college more affordable for active duty military, retired veterans, or dependent military personnel.

Completing the FAFSA form also determines your eligibility for federal student aid and federal financial aid programs, such as the federal Pell Grant and federal loans. The FAFSA also determines eligibility for annual scholarships awarded to support undergraduate students attending an accredited college.

Scholarship Programs for Military Dependents

Some institutions offer campus-based scholarship programs for veterans or active duty students attending college. Whether it's for veterans enrolled in undergraduate programs, or veterans working towards a graduate degree, your university may have a scholarship program for veterans.

Check with your financial aid office at your university, graduate school, or community college about any exclusive scholarship opportunities available for you.

There are also non-profit foundations that aim to help those who served active duty— or are families of active duty veterans— and are now pursuing their post-secondary education by offering tuition assistance and scholarship programs. Check out these foundations and programs that provide college scholarships for veterans:

• National Military Family Association
• Career Advancement Account Scholarship
• Chief Warrant Officers Association
• National Ranger Memorial Foundation
• Air Force Aid Society

States Offering Free College Tuition for Veterans & Dependents

Several states in the United States offer free college tuition for veterans, active service members, and their dependents. These programs vary by state and may have different eligibility criteria and restrictions. Below is a small list of the states that currently offer free tuition assistance for veterans and military dependents:

1. Arkansas - The Arkansas GI Dependents Scholarship provides free tuition and fees for the dependents of veterans who died in the line of duty or as a result of service-connected injuries or diseases.
2. California - The California College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents offers free tuition and fees for the dependents of veterans who died in the line of duty or as a result of service-connected injuries or diseases.
3. Florida - The Florida GI Dependent Scholarship provides free tuition and fees for the dependents of veterans who died in the line of duty or due to service-connected injuries or diseases.
4. Maryland - The Maryland Veterans and Military Families Scholarship provides free tuition and fees for veterans who served on active duty during certain periods of war or national emergency and military family members.
5. New York - The New York State Excelsior Scholarship provides free tuition for veterans and their dependents who are New York state residents and meet certain income requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Military Dependent Scholarships

Can I get a scholarship as a dependent child of a veteran?

Yes, there are hundreds of scholarships available for children of veterans. Family members and military spouses of veterans or active duty military members can find financial aid that aims to help them pay for college in recognition of their family's selfless service to the country. Whether you're an independent child or spouse of someone in the United States Armed Forces, the Marine Corps, or the United States Coast Guard, among other military branches, you can receive military dependent scholarships.

How many veteran scholarships can I apply for?

On Bold.org, there is no limit to how many scholarships you can apply for or earn. You can even apply and earn several scholarships in more than one category. In fact, you are encouraged to apply for more than one scholarship in order to maximize your chances of receiving significant tuition assistance. Veterans can apply for multiple scholarships to fund their postsecondary education.

Is my military dependent scholarship renewable?

Whether military dependent scholarships can be renewed or not depends on the particular scholarship program. Carefully read and review the terms and conditions of each scholarship. Some scholarships are granted for just one academic year, while others offer the possibility of renewal throughout the entire duration of your program.

Veterans and military students can unlock hundreds of scholarships for military personnel on Bold.org.