Financial Aid Opportunities for Children of Disabled Or Deceased Military Service Members

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Financial Aid Opportunities for children of Disabled or Deceased Military Service Members

Scholarship/Grant / Entry Deadline / Eligibility / Website/ Contact Information / Required Material /
Military Order of the Purple Heart / Must be received no later than
27 JAN 2017 / Applicant must be:
·  Purple Heart recipient who is also a member of MOPH or his/her spouse or widow or direct lineal descendent (child, step child, adopted children or grandchildren)
·  The spouse, widow or direct lineal descendent or service member killed in action or who died of wounds (supporting documentation required)
·  Graduate or upcoming high school graduate
·  Accepted or enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student
·  Have at least 2.75 GPA / http://www.purpleheart.org/Scholarships/
Military Order of the Purple Heart
5413-B Backlick Road
Springfield, VA 22151
For questions, contact:
Stewart McKeown at MOPH headquarters
Phone: (703) 642-5360
e-mail: / ·  Completed MOPH scholarship application
·  Official transcripts (including latest semester completed)
·  200-300 word essay – Subject: “The American Veteran”
·  2 letters of recommendation
·  A $15.00 processing fee
Heroes Tribute Scholarship Program for Children of the Fallen / Due by:
1 MAR annually / The Scholarship Foundation guarantees scholarships of up to $30,000 over four years ($7,500 a year) to eligible* children of the following:
·  Children of Marines and veteran Marines who were killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
·  Children of Marines and children of Navy Corpsmen attached to a Marine unit, who were killed in combat operations after September 11, 2001
·  Children of Navy Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit who were killed in combat operations on or after September 27, 2008; or
·  Children of Marines who were killed in training after September 27, 2008.
Additionally, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
·  GPA of at least 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
·  Family adjusted gross income for the tax year that does not exceed $94,000. Non-taxable allowances are not included in determining adjusted gross income
·  Planning to attend an accredited undergraduate college or career training school in the upcoming academic year. / https://www.mcsf.org/apply/ / 1.  TRANSCRIPT:
2.  FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN: The first two pages of the Federal Income Tax Return you are claimed on
3.  QUALIFYING MILITARY PARENT SERVICE DOCUMENTATION:.
4.  PHOTO: A photo of yourself suitable for reproduction in our publications and donor relations, and is at least 500KB.
Additional documentation may be required
·  If you’re applying as a grandchild: you’ll have to submit an Association Document (roster list, membership card, or copy of newsletter with their name and address) proving your grandparent is a member of the association for which you are applying.
·  If you indicate your parent was medically retired from the military: you’ll have to submit the letter from the Commandant of the Marine Corps assigning your qualifying military parent to the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL).
·  If YOU served in the US Armed Forces: you’ll have to submit your own military document (DD214 Member-4 version) or Statement of Service. Your character of service must also be “honorable.”
Heroes Tribute Scholarship Program for Children of the Wounded / Due by:
1 MAR annually / The Scholarship Foundation provides scholarship support of $6,000 to $40,000 over four years ($1,500 – $10,000) to eligible children of the following:
·  Children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen attached to a Marine unit who were wounded in action in any war or conflict
·  Children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen attached to a Marine unit who were permanently retired from the Marine Corps or Navy as a result of their service related injury
·  Children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen attached to a Marine unit whose parent is currently ill or injured and serving with Wounded Warrior Regiment/Battalion
Additionally, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
·  GPA of at least 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
·  Family adjusted gross income for the tax year that does not exceed $94,000. Non-taxable allowances are not included in determining adjusted gross income
·  Planning to attend an accredited undergraduate college or career training school in the upcoming academic year / https://www.mcsf.org/apply/ / 1.  TRANSCRIPT:
2.  FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN: The first two pages of the Federal Income Tax Return you are claimed on
3.  QUALIFYING MILITARY PARENT SERVICE DOCUMENTATION:.
4.  PHOTO: A photo of yourself suitable for reproduction in our publications and donor relations, and is at least 500KB.
Additional documentation may be required
·  To apply as a grandchild: submit an Association Document (roster list, membership card, or copy of newsletter with their name and address) proving the grandparent is a member of the association for which you are applying.
·  If a parent was medically retired from the military: submit the letter from the Commandant of the Marine Corps assigning the qualifying military parent to the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL).
·  If YOU served in the US Armed Forces: you’ll have to submit your own military document (DD214 Member-4 version) or Statement of Service. Your character of service must also be “honorable.”
Veterans United Foundation Scholarship / Check website / Applicant must fall into one or more of the categories listed:
·  Surviving spouse or child of a deceased Veteran of the United States Military
·  Applicants must currently be pursuing a post-secondary degree OR plan to attend college the following academic year
·  Minimum 2.5 GPA
·  Comfortable sharing personal story and aspirations for future with Veterans United Foundation
·  Willing and able to provide the following upon request:
o  Deceased service member’s military documents relevant to award criteria
o  Full FAFSA submission / http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/scholarships.html
scholarship link:
www.enhancelives.com/scholarships / ·  Online application form
·  2-3 page typed essay telling your story, how losing your spouse or parent has affected you, explaining who you are, where your life has taken your and what you hope to pursue through your college education and beyond
Heroes Legacy Scholarship / Application available 13 DEC 2016 Check website for due date / Dependent unmarried children (under age 23) of active duty personnel, Reserve/Guard and retired military members, or survivors of service members who died or became disabled while serving on active duty on or after 20 SEPT 2001 who meet one of the following criteria:
·  One parent in any branch of the U. S. Armed Forces died OR
·  One parent became disabled OR
·  One parent received a permanent and total compensation rating of 100% from the DoD or Veterans Affairs. / http://www.militaryscholar.org/
Return Completed Application to:
Scholarship Managers
Post Office Box 2550
Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08034 / ·  Completed two page application
·  Transcript of grades
·  500 word essay (see website for topic)
American Legion Legacy Scholarship / Due by:
20 APR annually / ·  Child/children or legally adopted child/children or a child of a spouse by a prior marriage or dependent child as defined by the United States Armed Services of active duty United States military and National Guard, and military reservists who were federalized and died on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.
·  The applicant must be a high school senior or high school graduate
·  Scholarship is for undergraduate study at an accredited institution of higher education within the United States. / http://www.legion.org/scholarships/legacy / ·  Application (available on line)
·  PHOTOCOPY of service member’s death certificate (DD1300)
Kathern F. Gruber & Thomas H Miller Scholarships / Available after 1 JAN and due mid-April annually / Dependent children, grandchildren and spouses of blinded veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible. / http://bva.org//BVA/Programs/BVA/Programs/Programs_Landing.aspx
Blinded Veterans Association
Attn: Scholarship Program
477 H Street, NW
Washington DC 20001-2694 / ·  Application form
·  Academic Transcripts
·  Three letters of reference
·  Statement of career goals
·  Other evidence of achievement
MG James Ursano Scholarship for Dependent Children / Applications available after 2 JAN and due 1 MAY annually / Student must:
·  Dependent of a Soldier on federal active duty, a retired Soldier or a deceased active duty or deceased retired Soldier
·  Be registered in DEERS
·  Be under the age of 23
·  Remain unmarried for the academic year
·  Not be a member of the National Guard, Reserves or other military branch
·  Be enrolled, accepted or pending acceptance as a full time student / http://www.aerhq.org/ / ·  New applicants must first create a profile
·  Application is available once a profile is created.
·  List of required documents is provided once application is completed.
·  FAFSA for current year must be completed
Folds of Honor
(numerous scholarship opportunities listed on website) / Applications available after 1 FEB
Check website for due date. / Applicants must be the spouse or dependent of:
·  An active duty or reserve soldier, killed or disabled in the line of duty or currently classified as POW or MIA.
·  A veteran who died of any cause after being classified as having a service-connected disability.
·  A service member missing in action or captured by hostile forces in the line of duty.
·  A service member forcibly detained or interned by a foreign power in the line of duty.
·  A service member who received a Purple Heart Medal. (NOTE: This medal alone is not sufficient) / https://www.foldsofhonor.org/scholarships / Proof of disability due to military service (at least one of these):
·  Casualty Report (DD1300)
·  Certificate of Death (service-connected)
·  Certificate of Retirement
·  VA Disability Rating
·  M.E.B or P.E.B.
·  Purple Heart Certificate
Proof of dependency (at least one of these)
·  DEERS Report
·  Dependent Military ID
·  Casualty Report (DD1300) with dependent’s name listed
·  Birth Certificate
Verification of school enrollment, such as:
·  Letter of acceptance
·  Current orprojected class schedule
Women’s Army Corps Veterans Assoc. Scholarship / Postmarked by: 1 MAY annually / ·  US Citizen
·  Child, grandchild, niece or nephew of Army Service Woman
·  Graduating Senior with 3.5 or higher GPA
·  Plan to enroll as full time student at an institution of higher learning / http://www.armywomen.org / ·  Completed Application form
·  Seven semester HS transcript
·  3 letters of recommendation
·  Documentation of military service sponsor
Academic Top Scholars
ThanksUSA / Applications are available April 1. Due:
15 MAY annually / ThanksUSA defines "Active-duty U.S. military personnel" as those who have served in active duty for at least 180 days since 9/11/01, including all those who have been killed or wounded in action
·  Natural or legally adopted children or stepchildren under the age of 24 living in the military service member’s household and/or primarily supported by the Service member.
·  Spouse of US Military Personnel
·  Min. GPA of 2.0 / http://www.thanksusa.org/scholarships.html / Application must be completed online at the website. See website for details
DRS Guardian Scholarship Fund / Due:
30 JUN annually / ·  Dependent child of a National Guard member who died in an operational or training mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation New Dawn
·  High School Junior or Senior with at least 3.0 GPA
·  Be accepted to an accredited college, university or technical school / http://www.ngef.org/get-involved/apply-for-the-drs-guardian-scholarship/ / ·  Official transcript
·  Recommendation letter from teacher, professor, instructor, etc.
·  One page essay on the deceased parent
·  Applicant’s family tax return/FAFSA
·  Acceptance letter to college, university or technical school or statement of good standing from current institution
Van Hipp Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund / Due:
1 JULY annually / Applicant must be a dependent of a deceased National Guard member. See website for details / http://www.ngaus.org/united-voice-national-guard/scholarships / See website for details
Families of the Fallen / Details available after 1 JAN annually / Applicant must be the surviving spouse or child of those killed in action and training accidents while serving the Army Aviation community / http://www.quad-a.org/ / Follow instructions with application
Paralyzed Veterans of America Scholarship / Applications available due in June annually / ·  Applicant must be either a PVA member, the spouse of a PVA member, or an unmarried child (under 24 years of age) who is dependent (as defined by the IRS) on the member for principal support;
·  A citizen of the United States;
·  Accepted and enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in an accredited US college or university. / www.pva.org/scholarships / See website for required materials when application period opens
No Greater Sacrifice / Use e-mail link on website for application information / ·  Children of wounded or fallen service members are eligible for assistance with in-state tuition, room and board, special equipment, books or other expenses deemed necessary / http://www.nogreatersacrifice.org/who-we-help
for more information, email:

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship / Complements college financial aid deadlines / ·  Children (between ages of 18 and 33) of Active Duty members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001
·  Surviving Spouse of Active Duty members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001
·  Eligibility generally ends 15 years after service member’s death or upon remarriage during the 15 year period. / http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/Fry_Scholarship.asp
Regional Processing Centers:
Muskogee, OK
P.O. Box 8888
Muskogee, OK 74402-8888
St. Louis, MO
P.O. Box 66830
St. Louis, MO
63166-6830
Buffalo, NY
P.O. Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14240-4616 / Complete VA form 22-5490 “Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits available at http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-5490-ARE.pdf
Explore potential programs and benefits available using the GI Bill by visiting the GI Bill comparison tool at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/comparison
Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) / Complements college financial aid deadlines / ·  A child whose parent died after July 31, 2011 must make an irrevocable election between the Fry Scholarship and DEA when applying for benefits
·  A child whose parent died prior to August 1, 2011 may be eligible for both benefits, but may use only one program at a time
Freedom Alliance Scholarship / Applicants must be ONE of the following:
·  The dependent son or daughter of a US Service Member who has become 100% total and permanently disabled as a result of an operational mission or training accident
·  The dependent son or daughter of a US Service Member who has been killed in action
·  The dependent son or daughter of a US Service member who has been classified as a Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA)
All applicants must also meet the following criteria
·  Currently a senior in high school, a high school graduate or a currently enrolled full time undergraduate student
·  Under the age of 26 / http://www.fascholarship.com
For more information, contact Wanda Cruz
/ ·  Application Form
·  Copy of government issued photo ID
·  Proof of Dependency (birth certificate, tax form listing dependents, military ID card, etc.)
·  Certificate of death or rating letter from the Veteran’s Administration disability
·  DD For 214 if applicable
·  500 word essay or Personal Statement:
·  Official high school or college transcript
·  Photo of applicant
·  Photo of qualifying parent

Post-9/11 GI Bill