MILITARY FAMILY AID
OUR MILITARY’S BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN MAKE MANY SACRIFICES TO ENSURE THAT THE REST OF US ARE SAFE AND SOUND.
In many ways, their families also make immeasurable sacrifices. From enduring the anxiety of deployments that put their loved ones in harm’s way to frequent moves and several uncertainties, the families of military members also serve alongside them.
Family members like children and spouses of military personnel often face unique obstacles when pursuing college degrees. Many military children apply for colleges with transcripts from various high schools due to frequent moves. Fortunately, adequate resources for military family aid ensure military families have access to financial aid necessary to pursue post-secondary education.
FINANCIAL AID FOR MILITARY FAMILIES
Dependents of military members on active duty, in the reserves, or the National Guard have several scholarships and grants available for them to use to fund their higher education. Sound college financial aid planning considering the available military family aid resources, can help them overcome some of the barriers to higher education they face by providing them with adequate financial assistance.
Here is a quick overview of some of the most popular military family aid avenues you can explore if you are also a dependent of a military member. We will discuss the eligibility requirements and other relevant information related to these scholarships to help you understand the avenues you can consider to seek financial aid for your college education.
ARMY SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
Children and spouses of current or previously served active duty members of the US Army, Army Reserves, or National Guard can apply for this scholarship. Children of former army members who received an honorable discharge, medical discharge, or were killed in action may also apply. Qualifying for the scholarship demands a minimum of a 2.0 GPA.
AMERICAN LEGION LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP
The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is available to children of post-9/11 veterans who were killed in action. It is also available to children of post-9/11 veterans with a high disability rating. The scholarship offers up to $20,000 in assistance for college tuition. College-bound students applying for this scholarship must attend an accredited university or college.
ARMY WOMEN’S FOUNDATION
Children of women soldiers or retired women soldiers can apply for scholarships offered by the Army Women’s Foundation. Qualifying for the scholarship demands a minimum 2.5 GPA, and the benefits vary based on whether the college-bound student is attending community college for certificate programs, undergraduate studies, or pursuing graduate studies.
AMVETS SCHOLARSHIP
The Army Veterans scholarship is available for high school seniors with parents or grandparents who are active duty members of the US Army or veterans. It is also applicable to children and grandchildren of National Guard and Army Reserve members. Qualifying for the scholarship requires having a 3.0 GPA, demonstrating financial need, and showing strong academic promise.
FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION
Spouses and children of military members killed, injured, or disabled because of their service to the country can apply for funding from this foundation. The foundation offers help in paying outstanding tuition fees for the student’s first bachelor’s degree. College students qualifying for this funding can reapply for up to four years.
DOLPHIN SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
The Dolphin Scholarship Foundation offers 25 to 20 new awards each year to dependents of active duty and former members of the submarine force. The scholarship also provides support for trade and vocational studies besides undergraduate studies.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MILITARY CHILDREN
Children with a Department of Defense ID card with parents who currently serve or have retired from any military branch can apply for this scholarship. Applicants must maintain a 2.5 GPA and can renew the scholarship for up to four years.
NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Assistance Program is a comprehensive military family aid program geared to help dependents of active duty and retired members of the US Marines or Sailors to fund their education. The program includes grants and interest-free loans. College-bound students applying for this program must register themselves in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher, demonstrate the need for financial assistance, and be under 23 years of age.
IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN SERVICE GRANT
The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is a grant offered to college-bound students who have parents or legal guardians that died during military service post-9/11. The applicants must be under 24 years of age at the time of their parent or guardian’s death. This grant provides financial support to students who did not qualify for a Federal Pell Grant due to their expected family contribution.
COAST GUARD SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM
The Coast Guard Supplemental Education Grant Program provides support to dependents of Coast Guard members who are currently enrolled in college or in a qualifying technical training or vocational training program. The grant helps them pay for supplies, books, or equipment necessary to pursue their course but does not cover tuition fees.
WORK WITH COLLEGE FUNDING OF TAMPA BAY FOR YOUR COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID PLANNING & FIND THE MOST SUITABLE MILITARY FAMILY AID PROGRAMS TO FUND YOUR COLLEGE EDUCATION
At College Funding of Tampa Bay, we are one of the leading voices helping college-bound students and their families get the financial aid planning necessary to help them achieve their goals of receiving higher education. With several years of financial planning experience, we are dedicated to ensuring that college-bound students have access to the necessary resources to pursue their education. If you are a dependent of a member of any branch of our military and in need for help identifying the most suitable avenues for financial assistance, consider working with us.
