Ten vetted scholarships, fellowships, and VA benefits that can help student veterans and military families pay for school.
The short version
Free money for school is out there, but it rewards the organized. This list mixes VA benefits you may be entitled to with private scholarships and fellowships. You can often combine them. Start with your VA benefits, then stack awards on top and hit every deadline.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
How to use this list
This is a vetted starting point, not a ranking and not an endorsement. Every program here was real and active as of the update date. Awards, amounts, and deadlines change, so confirm current details on each official site before you apply.
Know what kind of aid this is
This list includes three things: VA benefits you may be entitled to (the Fry Scholarship and the Yellow Ribbon Program), private scholarships, and fellowships. Start with your VA benefits, then add private awards. For the funding basics, see our guides to the Yellow Ribbon Program and GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, and Yellow Ribbon.
The 10 scholarships and fellowships
- Pat Tillman Foundation (Tillman Scholars): a competitive national scholarship and leadership program for service members, veterans, and spouses. Fits high-achieving candidates with a clear sense of purpose. Start by reviewing the annual application window.
- VA Fry Scholarship: Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. Fits eligible survivors. Start by checking eligibility and applying on VA.gov.
- Yellow Ribbon Program (VA): helps cover tuition and fees above the Post-9/11 GI Bill cap at participating schools. Fits eligible veterans and dependents at private or out-of-state schools. Start by confirming your school participates.
- Folds of Honor: educational scholarships for the spouses and children of fallen or disabled service members and first responders. Fits eligible military and first responder families. Start by reviewing the application.
- AMVETS National Scholarships: scholarships for veterans, active duty, Guard and Reserve, and their children and grandchildren. Fits members of the AMVETS-eligible community. Start by reviewing the scholarship categories.
- VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship: scholarships for veterans and service members transitioning to civilian careers. Fits qualifying veterans and service members. Start by reviewing eligibility on the VFW site.
- Student Veterans of America Scholarships: scholarships offered through SVA and its corporate partners, often tied to specific fields of study. Fits student veterans who match the criteria. Start by browsing current opportunities.
- Fisher House Scholarships for Military Children: scholarships for military dependent children, connected to the commissary. Fits eligible dependent children with a valid ID card. Start by reviewing the annual application.
- ThanksUSA: need-based scholarships for the children and spouses of service members. Fits military dependents and spouses. Start by checking the application season.
- Horatio Alger Military Veterans Scholarship: need-based scholarships for post-9/11 veterans pursuing an undergraduate degree. Fits eligible veterans early in their degree. Start by reviewing eligibility and applying.
FAQ
What is the difference between a scholarship and the GI Bill?
The GI Bill and the Fry Scholarship are VA education benefits tied to service. Private scholarships are awards from nonprofits and foundations. You can often use both.
Are these only for veterans?
No. Several support spouses, children, or survivors. Check each program's eligibility rules.
Can I combine awards?
Often yes. Many students stack VA benefits with one or more private scholarships. Confirm each program allows it.
When are the deadlines?
They vary and many are annual. Track each deadline and apply early, since some awards are limited.
Do these guarantee money?
No. Awards are competitive or based on eligibility. Applying carefully improves your odds but promises nothing.
Where do I confirm amounts?
Only on each official site. Amounts and terms change year to year.
Where to get help
Verification Notes
- Scholarship amounts, counts, and deadlines change each cycle. Confirm current figures on each official site.
- The VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship details are on the VFW site; confirm the current application window and eligibility there.
- We did not cite specific dollar figures or numbers of awards. Confirm any numbers directly with each organization.
Sources & links
VetraFi does not provide financial, investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. The content provided is for informational purposes only. You should consult your own advisors before engaging in any transaction.
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