Scholarships for military families

These are the 32 awards in our catalog marked for military-connected students: children and spouses of service members and veterans, Guard members, and students who plan to serve. Each one links to its official page. Rules differ a lot, so read who counts before you apply.

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Education awards only. Next Scholar does not give GI Bill or VA claims advice. VA education benefits (VA.gov)

State programs

Run by a state. Most are for children or spouses of veterans or service members from that state, or for Guard members. Check residency rules.

• Honorably Discharged Graduate Assistance Program (HDGAP) · Florida Department of Education / OSFA · $0.00–$1,000.00 · deadline on file FAFSA processed error-free by the deadline specified by the… · official source
• Michigan Children of Veterans Tuition Grant · Michigan Student Aid (MiLEAP) · $1,400.00–$2,800.00 · deadline on file June 30, 2027 · official source
• Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program · Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) · From $0.00 · deadline on file Child/stepchild must initiate training before 26th birthday · official source
• Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP) · Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) · Up to $12,454.00 · deadline on file ANGEAP campus/ACHE process for each academic year · official source
• Georgia HERO Scholarship · Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) · Up to $2,000.00 · deadline on file Initial Georgia HERO application no later than two years af… · official source
• Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program · Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) · From $0.00 · deadline on file No priority consideration dates · official source
• Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program · Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) · From $0.00 · deadline on file Apply via ISAC IVG process in time for the term of enrollme… · official source
• Louisiana National Guard Patriot Scholarship · Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) · Award equals mandatory fees charged; student must be eligible fo · deadline: see official page · official source
• Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · $30,908.00 · deadline on file Rolling VA education claim · official source
• Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarship · New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) · Covers cost of attendance not to exceed the average cost of atte · deadline on file Open year-round · official source
• Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MERIT / MSRS) · New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) · HESC currently brands this benefit as the MERIT Scholarship: cov · deadline on file Open year-round · official source
• NYS Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans · New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) · $450.00 · deadline on file Open year-round · official source
• Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program (ONGSP) · Ohio National Guard · From $0.00 · deadline on file Submit ONGSP application up to the school’s final no-penalt… · official source
• Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · $30,908.00 · deadline on file Rolling VA education benefits claim · official source
• Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35 / DEA) · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · $393.50–$1,574.00 · deadline on file Rolling VA DEA · official source
• Veterans Tuition Award (VTA) · New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) · $1.00–$7,070.00 · deadline on file Open year-round · official source
• Yellow Ribbon Program · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (with participating schools) · School+VA matching funds that can cover tuition/fees above the P · deadline on file Rolling with Post-9/11 GI Bill enrollment · official source
• Douglas J.J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship (VAIC) · Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) · $5,067.00–$8,699.00 · deadline on file 2025-26 application opened April 15, 2025 and closes April… · official source

Foundations and groups

Run by nonprofits and associations. Many are for children or spouses of service members, veterans, or fallen service members.

• Pat Tillman Scholarship · Pat Tillman Foundation · Up to $10,000.00 · deadline on file Applications open December 1 each year · official source
• Gilman-McCain Scholarship · U.S. Department of State / Gilman Program · $5,000.00 · deadline on file January 5, 2027, 11:59 p.m · official source
• John Ringlbauer/Wallace Brown UCLA Veteran’s Scholarship · University of California Los Angeles · From $4,000.00 · deadline on file January 11, 2027 · official source
• Children of Fallen Patriots Scholarship · Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation · Need-based undergraduate support covering tuition/fees, books/su · deadline on file Rolling · official source
• American Legion Department of Massachusetts Scholarship · The American Legion, Department of Massachusetts · $500.00–$1,000.00 · deadline on file April 1, 2026 · official source
• Folds of Honor Scholarship · Folds of Honor Foundation · $0.00–$5,000.00 · deadline on file March 31 annually · official source
• LaVerne Noyes Foundation Scholarship · University of California San Diego · Up to $1,800.00 · deadline on file April 2, 2026 · official source
• Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Scholarship · Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation · $2,500.00–$10,000.00 · deadline on file January 1 · official source

Service programs (ROTC and the branches)

These pay for the student who will serve, not for a family member. They come with a service commitment.

• Army ROTC Scholarship · U.S. Army Cadet Command · From $420.00 · deadline on file October 12, 2026 · official source
• National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship · U.S. Department of Defense · $43,200.00 · deadline on file October 30, 2026, 5 PM Eastern · official source
• DoD SMART Scholarship-for-Service · U.S. Department of Defense / DoW SMART · $30,000.00–$46,000.00 · deadline on file December 4, 2026, 5:00 PM ET · official source
• Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) · U.S. Air Force / Space Force ROTC · AFROTC High School scholarships: Type 1/2/7 tuition/fee benefits · deadline on file December 11, 2026 · official source
• Navy ROTC (NROTC) Scholarship · U.S. Navy / Naval Service Training Command · Up to $168,300.00 · deadline on file January 31, 2027 midnight · official source
• Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI) Scholarship · U.S. Coast Guard · From $0.00 · deadline on file Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative · official source

Questions

Who counts as a military family for scholarships?

Each award sets its own rule. Some cover children and spouses of active-duty members, veterans, Guard and Reserve members, or fallen service members. Read the official page for who counts.

Does Next Scholar help with the GI Bill or VA benefits?

No. We list education awards only. For GI Bill and other VA education benefits, use VA.gov.

Are these all the military scholarships?

No. These are the ones in our catalog that are marked military-connected and have an official source. Your base education office, your unit’s family readiness group, and your state veterans agency may know of others.

Amounts and deadlines are what the official page said when we last checked. A listing is not a promise of money. The sponsor decides who wins. Checked October 11, 2026.

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