If you’re an active servicemember or Veteran, you may qualify for a variety of financial scholarships and military grants that will help you pay for your tuition and related college expenses. Your spouse and/or children may also be eligible for assistance. Additionally, you may be eligible if a parent or spouse is a servicemember or Veteran, depending on the grant or scholarship’s criteria.
Various organizations make these types of military grants and scholarships available. For example, you may qualify for financial aid from federal government programs, like the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or through nonprofit Veterans’ service organizations, such as the Pat Tillman Foundation. Financial aid may also be directly available through educational institutions, like the Opportunity Scholarship offered here at National University.
This guide to military grants and scholarships will help you find sources of financial aid for you and your family members, including federal aid programs, Veterans’ organizations, and more. Continue reading to learn about grants for military spouses, VA education benefits, ROTC scholarships, military scholarships for women, aid for military families and children, and other scholarship foundations.
Financial Aid the Government Offers for Military Service and Family Members
The federal government administers a variety of programs and grants that provide financial aid to eligible military students. For example, you may be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. Additional examples, which we’ll cover in more detail include Army, Air Force, Marine, and Navy ROTC scholarships; the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and various education benefits that are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits
Education benefits are available for qualified Veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA. For example, you can apply for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits through the VA’s online system. You may be eligible to be covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill if you meet the criteria, such as having an Honorable Discharge and earning, at minimum, a high school diploma or its equivalent.
National University is a Yellow Ribbon school, which means assistance may be available to help pay for your tuition and fees beyond what’s covered by your Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships
- Army ROTC Scholarship Program — According to the official Army ROTC website, “High school students who apply for ROTC are eligible for scholarships covering up to the full cost of tuition, plus money for personal expenses and books.” That means you could be eligible to save up to $1,200 annually on books, $420 monthly on personal expenses, and 100% coverage for tuition and fees. Learn more about how you qualify here.
- Navy ROTC Scholarship Program — Partial and four-year scholarships are available through the Navy ROTC (NROTC). Learn more about the NROTC scholarship application process.
- Air Force ROTC Scholarship Program — The Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) program offers a variety of scholarships, including scholarships for high school students, current college students, and enlisted airmen. Explore AFROTC scholarships to review eligibility and application requirements in detail.
- Marine ROTC Scholarship Program — Technically called the Navy ROTC Marine Option Scholarship, this rigorous program requires students to “spend six weeks attending Officer Candidates School in Quantico, VA,” along with completing classes on Naval Science and other military coursework. Learn more about the NROTC Marine Option Scholarship or explore additional scholarships.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or FSEOG, assists students who demonstrate “exceptional financial need.” It’s important to note that the FSEOG is only available to undergraduate students, who must complete a FAFSA, so that their level of financial need/eligibility for the grant can be assessed. The FSEOG provides between $100 and $4,000 to eligible students annually.
Learn more about various government benefits for military Veterans and service members, from caregiver programs and services to dental care, healthcare, home loans, and mental health services.
Financial Aid Offered by Veterans Service Organizations
Federal aid is a useful, but not the only, source of financial support for Veterans and servicemembers or their family members to help pay for college. In addition to government student aid programs, you may qualify for financial aid offered through various non-profit Veterans’ organizations, such as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Veterans (AMVETS), the Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP), or the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation.
Continue reading to learn more about the grants and scholarships that are available through these and other Veterans’ service organizations, including the Army Scholarship Foundation, Hope for the Warriors, the National Guard Educational Foundation (NGEF), and more.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The VFW, or Veterans of Foreign Wars, describes itself as a “nonprofit Veterans service organization comprised of eligible Veterans and military service members from the active, guard, and reserve forces.” Along with a wide range of other programs and services that help to support Veterans, including assistance with VA claims and separation benefits, the VFW also offers:
- Financial grants – up to $2,500
- Financial Assistance for Service Members Needs Program – up to $2,500 to assist with basic life needs. This is a VFW grant that does not have to be repaid.
- Sports Clips Help A Hero Scholarship – up to $5,000
American Veterans (AMVETS)
Established in 1944, American Veterans or AMVETS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates nationwide to “best serve each new generation of Veterans and their families” through a broad collection of services and programs, including a variety of AMVETS scholarships. Examples of military grants and scholarships offered by AMVETS include, but are not limited to:
- 2026 AMVETS Veteran, Active Duty & Guard/Reserve Scholarship – up to $12,000 scholarships to a qualified Veteran or Active-Duty member of the United States military to include the National Guard or Reserves
- Dr. Aurelio M. Caccomo Family Foundation Memorial Scholarship – $12,000 awarded annually.
Army Scholarship Foundation
The Army Scholarship Foundation scholarship is available for qualified undergraduate students who are “sons or daughters of regular active duty, active duty Reserve, or active duty National Guard U.S. Army members in good standing”. The scholarship is also available for spouses and children of “former U.S. Army members who received an honorable discharge or medical discharge, or who were killed while serving in the U.S. Army.” The annual scholarship awards average $1000 per student.
Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation
According to the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation website, this organization’s mission is to “provide college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.” The scholarship covers expenses like “tuition, room and board, books, fees, living expenses, [and] a one-time $1,000 computer stipend,” without any caps on funding for students who qualify. Take the first steps toward applying by enrolling a student.
Army Women’s Foundation
The Army Women’s Foundation, whose stated mission is to “recognize and honor the service of all U.S. Army women”, is a Fort Lee, VA-based nonprofit organization that offers various scholarship programs for eligible students. Examples of Army Women’s Foundation scholarship programs that are available as of September 2025 include:
- Six Triple Eight Legacy Scholarship – available for both undergraduate and graduate students who qualify: annual award of up to $2,500.
Hope for the Warriors
Hope for the Warriors is a nonprofit organization that, to quote its website, “provides comprehensive support programs for servicemembers, Veterans, and military families,” including but not limited to scholarships for military spouses and caregivers. There are five different scholarships offered through the organization. For example, the Restoring Family Scholarship and Restoring Self Scholarship varies depending on your unique life situation and educational goals, what type of degree you’re seeking, and whether you’ve lost a spouse or family member.
- Explore their full scope of resources for Veterans and service members.
Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association (LA FRA)
First established in 1930, today, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association (LA FRA) offers a variety of scholarships for both male and female students, including the LA FRA Scholarship, the Allie Mae Oden Memorial Scholarship, the NP Scholarship, and the Sam Rose Memorial Scholarship Fund.
- Learn more about applying to LA FRA scholarships and how you qualify.
Military Family Scholarships
There are a wide variety of scholarships available for the family members of Veterans, active duty service members, and fallen servicemembers who were killed in action. For instance, some of the examples we’ve covered so far on this list include ASF scholarships and the Restoring Family Scholarship available through the Hope for the Warriors organization. If you are the child or spouse of a current or former servicemember, here are five additional examples of military family scholarships you may wish to consider exploring:
- California Veterans Education Assistance Program
- Chief Petty Officer Scholarship Fund – $2,000 – $5,000
- Fisher House Foundation Scholarship Program – $2,000
- Marine Gunnery Sergeant John D. Fry Scholarship – $14,033 – 30,908 depending on type (private, flight-training, or correspondence school)
- Survivor’s and Dependent’s Educational Assistance (DEA) Program – $912.00 – 1,574.00 for each full month depending on 1/2 to full-time enrollment. Payment for on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and restorative training is also available.
National Guard Educational Foundation (NGEF)
Established in 1975, the National Guard Educational Foundation (NGEF) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “tell the Guard’s story” and promote “awareness of the rich heritage and continuing contributions of the National Guard of the United States.” In support of this mission, the NGEF offers several scholarships to qualified students, such as:
- USAA Guardian Scholarship – maximum of four annual grants of $6,250 per year for a total of $25,000
- Van Hipp Heroes Scholarship – four annual grants of $1,000 per year for a total of $4,000
General George S. Brown Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP)
The Spouse Tuition Assistance Program, or STAP, helps pay for the tuition of eligible students, meaning the spouses of active duty officers and airmen who accompany their spouses overseas. An annual award of up to $1,500 is available through the program, which you can learn more about here.
National University Scholarships and Grants
We offer two scholarships for military students: the NU Opportunity Scholarship and the Veterans, Spouses, and Dependents Scholarship. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call (877) 628-6828.
Veterans, Spouses, and Dependents Scholarship
The Veterans, Spouses, and Dependents Scholarship at National University offers up to $5,000 of the cost of tuition for eligible spouses and dependents. It is designed to supplement military GI Bill® Chapter 31 and Chapter 33 educational benefits. All majors and degree programs are eligible, with the exception of nursing programs. However, nursing students in the RN-to-BSN program may be eligible for the scholarship.
The Opportunity Scholarship
National University is also proud to offer the Opportunity Scholarship, which may be combined with other scholarships and sources of financial aid. The Opportunity Scholarship is available to students who meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being a Pell Grant recipient in good academic standing with the University. If you believe you meet the eligibility requirements, we encourage you to apply for the NU Opportunity Scholarship online.
The Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship
Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship at National University recipients will receive either a $625 tuition scholarship per course or a 38% tuition reduction for eligible term-based programs. In addition, each awardee will receive a $2,500 first-term stipend to help offset early program expenses and support a strong start to their educational journey.
Find Out Whether You Qualify for Military Grants or Scholarships at National University
If you have any questions about National University Opportunity, Whisper Military Spouse, or Veterans, Spouses, and Dependents scholarships, how to qualify or how to apply, please contact our military admissions officers military admissions dedicated support at (877) 628-6828 or [email protected] or email [email protected] for one-on-one support.
You can get in touch with our enrollment counselors to learn more about the grants and scholarships that may be available to you and your loved ones. You can request information about graduate, undergraduate degrees, or credential and certificate programs.
Find the right degree option for you with our program finder or explore National University’s resources for military students.
