Top Scholarships for Military Veterans and Dependents

Scholarship Resource for Military Members, Veterans, and their Dependents

Regardless of your chosen academic path, you may be searching for additional funding to supplement your education benefits or fill the financial gaps that Tuition Assistance doesn’t cover. The list below outlines some of the scholarship resources available to military members, veterans, and their dependents. Click the associated links to be taken directly to the opportunity to find out more about the application process, eligibility requirements, and deadlines.

Idaho Scholarships

Idaho State Board of Education - Armed Forces/Public Safety Officer Dependent Scholarship provides a waiver of tuition and fees plus up to $500 per semester for books in addition to on-campus housing and subsistence to Idaho undergraduate students who are the children or spouses of military members or public safety officers who either passed during military training, or were/are imprisoned, missing, killed, or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

Mission43 Cybersecurity Academy - Mission43 has teamed up with SANS Institute to provide up to 12 scholarships a year for transitioning military members, veterans, and their spouses that plan to make Idaho their home after the military. The scholarship covers the cost of training and exams for 3 GIAC certifications, designed to be completed in 6-months and prepare members for entry-level cybersecurity careers. 

Mission43 Entrepreneur Course - Mission43 provides scholarships for up to 25 military members, veterans, and their spouses a year to attend the Entrepreneur Course, in partnership with College of Western Idaho, and learn the foundations of entrepreneurship and building/growing their businesses. Mission43 covers the full cost of the course, which is hosted twice a year: Once virtually, once in person.

Mission43 PMP Certification Course - In partnership with Pinnacle Professional Development, LLC., a Project Management Institute Authorized Training Partner, Mission43 hosts 4, in-person Project Management Professional Certification Courses per year for up to 15 participants each cohort. Eligible participants are military members, veterans, and their spouses who meet PMI criteria to sit for the PMP exam. Courses are held in the Treasure Valley, North Idaho, and East Idaho. Mission43 covers the cost of training and one PMP exam attempt.

University of Idaho - Operation Education scholarship for disabled veterans and their spouses to assist with covering college expenses.

Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, and Veteran Scholarships

AFCEA War Vets Scholarship - Scholarships of $2,500 each are offered to active-duty and honorably discharged U.S. Military Veterans (to include Reservists and National Guard personnel) of the Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom operations. Candidates must be majoring in certain fields of study - see application for details.

American Legion Scholarship - Available to all veteran members of the legion who are pursuing their undergraduate studies at an accredited college or university. Annual awards are $1000, and eligibility is determined by financial need.

AMVETS - Dr. Aurelio M. Caccomo memorial scholarship awards 2, $12,000 scholarships annually to veterans and guard/reserve members. 

Council of College and Military Educators - offers $1,000 scholarships each year to United States service members (active duty and veterans), spouses of service members, and children of service members who are working towards the completion of higher education degrees, certifications, and licensures.

George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers - Veterans & Military Family Scholarship awards $1,000, twice annually, to active duty service members, veterans, or spouse/child of active duty or retired service member.  

Hill & Ponton Disability Attorneys Veterans Helping Veterans Scholarship - Awards $1,000 to military veterans that are pursuing a degree that would lead to a career field that would help other veterans.

HotelPlanner.com Graduate Technology Scholarship - for military veterans and their families pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree related to technology.

INFOSEC Institute - Accelerate Military & Veteran Scholarship encourages new talent to join the information security industry and close the growing cybersecurity gap. This scholarship offers free access to INFOSEC Skills, which provides over 190 role-guided learning paths and custom certification practice exams. 

IVMF Syracuse - The Onward to Opportunity program is a no-cost industry-focused and validated career skills program that connects transitioning service members and active duty military spouses to high-demand careers in Customer Service Excellence, Information Technology, and Business Management. 

Military Order of the Purple Heart - Awards scholarships to Purple Heart recipients and their spouses, children, and grandchildren each year. At least one applicant with military service will be awarded the Navy SEAL LT Michael Murphy Memorial Award.

Pat Tillman Foundation - Provides financial assistance to veterans, active duty military, and military spouses who wish to start, continue, or finish their college education.

Sanford Health Military and Veteran Scholarship - Awarded to any veteran, Guard/Reserve or active duty service member who has demonstrated leadership and commitment in their community. Scholarship amount is $5,000 paid in four equal installments.

SANS VetSuccess Academy - 100% scholarship-based program for military veterans, service members within 6-months of transition, and active duty military spouses to earn 3 GIAC certifications.

Student Veterans of America - Works with organizations like Raytheon, Google, and Comcast to award scholarships to veterans of various branches in certain degree seeking programs.

Technical Support International - Cybersecurity Education Scholarship Fund for Families of Veterans awards $1,000 to military veterans and direct family members pursuing a technical school, 2-year, or 4-year university programs focused in cybersecurity.

Veterans United Foundation - Scholarships for 100% service-connected disabled veterans, spouses and children of fallen service members. 

VFW - Sports Clips Help a Hero Scholarship provides service members and veterans in VA-approved programs at accredited post-secondary institutions up to $5,000. 

Military Spouse & Dependent-Specific Scholarships

Air Force Aid Society - General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program awards grants ranging from $500 to $4,000 to eligible Air Force and Space Force dependents each year. The amount awarded correlates to a student’s particular level of financial need. 

American Legion Legacy Scholarship - Provides college funding for children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active duty or those who have a combined VA disability rating of 50% or higher.

Army Emergency Relief - Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program is available to Army Active Duty military spouses and spouses of retired and deceased soldiers. Scholarships are based on financial need and can be awarded for up to four academic years for full-time students, or eight academic years for part-time students.

Army Scholarship Foundation - Available to spouses and children of Active Duty Army or Active Army Reserve and Guard members in good standing. 

Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation - Children of Fallen Patriots is a national organization that supports college scholarships and educational counseling to the children of military personnel who have passed away in the line of duty. Their goal is to bridge the gap in funding between available sources of grants and scholarships and the total cost of college.

Mission43 has partnered with the Children of Fallen Patriots to ensure every Gold Star child in Idaho graduates college debt-free. The average gap to finish is $25,000, and our nation has an unwritten obligation to support and create opportunities for these children who have lost a parent in combat, training, and other duty-related accidents. 

Fisher House Foundation - Scholarships for Military Children program awards scholarships (through commissaries where applications are collected) for $2,000 to eligible children dependents of active duty or retired service members.

Folds of Honor - Provides up to $5,000 each academic year to eligible families of fallen or disabled military members, meant to assist with the unmet needs portion of tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, texts books or other related expenses not covered by other sources of awards or financial aid.

Hope for the Warriors - Scholarship program for spouses and caregivers of post-9/11 veterans that obtained a combat-related injury and/or have a 100% permanent and total VA disability rating.

MYCAA - MYCAA, or My Career Advancement Account Scholarship, provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance for licenses, certifications, or Associate degrees that provide professional credentials to meet portable career goals. This program is available to spouses of currently serving military members with pay grade from E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2.  

NFMA - National Military Family Association has a rolling application with scholarships from $500-$2500 awarded quarterly to military spouses, spouses of retired service members, spouses of 100% disabled service members, and spouses of fallen service members. You will need to verify your status using ID.me.

Contact Us

Do you have a vetted military, veteran, or dependent scholarship that should be added to this resource listing? Reach out and let us know!

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Education FAQ: What is the PMP certification and am I eligible?

Top Requirements for the PMP Certification Course

Your military experience translates to project management success

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is the gold standard in the project management profession. 

According to PMI, through 2027, employers will need to fill an additional 2.2 million project-oriented roles. The PMP certification validates that you are experienced in standardized concepts and skills that are applicable across a wide range of industries. By earning the PMP designation, employers recognize that you are highly skilled in:

• People: Emphasizing the soft skills you need to effectively lead a project team in today’s changing environment.

• Process: Reinforcing the technical aspects of successfully managing projects. 

• Business Environment: Highlighting the connection between projects and organizational strategy.

PMP Exam Eligibility Requirements

In order to earn the PMP certification, you must complete 35 hours of formal project management training and meet certain education & experience requirements, which are: 

• High school diploma/Associate degree with 60 months of non-overlapping project management experience within the last 8 years, or 

• Bachelor’s degree+ with 36 months of non-overlapping project management experience within the last 8 years, or 

• If you have graduated from a PMI GAC accredited project management degree program or have the associate level project management certification (CAPM), this can eliminate some or all of the above experience requirements.

What is a project?

Participants must be able to prove relevant project management experience in order to be accepted to sit for the PMP exam.

The good news is that project management is applicable to a wide variety of industries. PMI defines a project as a temporary endeavor, that has a definite start and finish, to create value through a unique product, service, or result. A project will have a team, budget, schedule, and a set of expectations to meet. Each project should differ from routine operations, the ongoing activities of an organization, because projects reach a conclusion once the goal is achieved.

The current exam is based on the PMBOK Guide 6th edition, which outlines project management in five process groups: Initiating (IN), planning (PL), executing (EX), monitoring and controlling (MC), and closing (CL). 

Initiating a project sets the vision of what is to be accomplished and ensures that the project aligns with an organization’s strategic mission and objectives. During this process, the sponsor (think management or authoritative body) officially authorizes the project, the project charter is created, the high-level scope is established, and stakeholders/project influencers are identified. 

The project planning phase is just that: In this phase, plans are made for how the project will be done before the work is actually started so that the team can think through the whole project process in advance. This phase takes the project scope to a granular level. Of the 5 processes, this is the most robust in terms of written document deliverables and includes items like collecting requirements, creating the work breakdown structure, developing a schedule, establishing budget, determining quality management, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and much more depending on organization requirements. 

Executing the project is getting the job done! Generally, the project manager will coordinate resources as the project team ensures deliverables defined in the planning phase are created. In project management, the term resources also includes human resources. Thus, project managers are often responsible for communications management, stakeholder engagement, and team growth and development. 

Monitoring and controlling is keeping the project on track. In a perfect world, all projects would go as planned, but that is a rarity. Instead, the project manager needs to regularly assess the overall project performance and make any necessary changes. 

Simply put, closing is the formal process of closing a project. This involves obtaining customer or sponsor acceptance, archive records, and hold a lessons learned meeting at a minimum.

Projects can include, but are certainly not limited to: Software development, improving business process(es), building construction, natural disaster relief efforts, expansion efforts, bringing on a new system or updating a system, developing training material, event planning, specific marketing campaigns, and more!

You don’t have to have had a formalized “Project Manager” job title to be eligible to sit for the PMP certification exam. Many military members and their spouses tend to have significant experience and skills in leading and directing project efforts, without having worked specifically as a project manager. 

A Project Management Institute PMP credential increases marketability and could help members of the military community showcase their skills to the civilian employment sector.

Contact us!

If you’d like to find out more about PMP eligibility requirements and Mission43’s PMP Certification Course, reach out to our education specialist today!

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Education FAQ: Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative

What is the Air Force’s Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative?

Earn your Bachelor’s degree in as few as 60 credits

The Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative, AU-ABC, is a partnership between Air University and civilian colleges and universities to provide accelerated pathways for airmen with Community College of the Air Force Associate of Applied Science degrees to earn a Bachelor’s. 

Airmen can earn their Bachelor’s through the AU-ABC program during or after service if they have one or more CCAF degrees.

HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT THAN OTHER DEGREE PROGRAMS?

Transfer credits can be tricky, and not every college accepts all credits from prior schools attended. This is especially the case when transferring Associate of Applied Science degrees, which are typically career-focused, highly specialized, and technical in nature, to a Bachelor’s program. On average, students lose one full semester, or 13 credits, when transferring. Unfortunately, many colleges and universities are not in the business of making transferring easy. The fewer transfer credits they accept, the more time you spend completing your degree, and the more money that funnels through their system.

However, Air University has articulation agreements with partner universities that will accept all CCAF AAS credits. These universities agree to apply these credits to one or more programs, and not require more than 60 credits to complete a Bachelor’s degree. 

This is a great way to shorten your time to degree completion and maximize your education benefits. A general, accelerated online program example is represented below:

CCAF

5 classes x 8 weeks = less than a year to complete. 

*Take as many CLEP tests as possible to further reduce time to CCAF completion!  

AU-ABC

60 credits = 20 classes

20 classes x 8 weeks = ~1.5 years with 2 classes at once 

Total Time

~ 2.5 years 

While this time frame depends on the program and school choice, one can generally expect classes to be around 6 to 8 weeks in length for accelerated online programs. The equation time frame would be similar for in-person classes, at 12-13 weeks, provided that the student takes a full course load. If a student transferred to a program outside of the AU-ABC network, they could expect a more traditional graduation timeline of 3.5-4 years.

Of course, every student is different, especially working/military adults, but it stands that taking advantage of the CCAF and AU-ABC can be beneficial for those seeking to earn a college degree while maximizing their education benefits.

NOT EVERY PROGRAM IS CREATED EQUAL

While Air University has partnered with 89 colleges and universities, it’s important to do your own research and look into each program offered. Ask yourself: 

1. What is my end goal? You might want a degree to advance your military career or set yourself up for more opportunities after service, or this may be a personal goal. This could be the difference in needing to complete a program ASAP, or being able to take it at a slower pace.

2. What are employers looking for? If this is for civilian career advancement, you’ll want to consider what type of degree employers are looking for: Depending on what you want to do, you may be satisfied with a general business management or leadership degree. If you want to specialize, it’s good to take a look at some job postings that match your goals and explore degree requirements in that field. 

3. What is your learning style? It’s no secret that online programs can be much more convenient for working adults, but not everyone thrives in fully-online programs. If you need more of a hands-on approach, consider well-established online programs that have an interactive curriculum, rather than giving you the weekly assignment and expecting you to learn the material on your own. Cohort models are exceptional when it comes to both flexibility and instructor involvement, or perhaps choosing a school that is near you can provide the online flexibility with accessible on-campus support, such as Veterans Upward Bound or other services. 

PROGRAM OPTIONS

We’ve curated a top-notch list of regionally accredited Air University partners that reduce their price per credit hour to meet or beat the Tuition Assistance rate for active duty members. Degree pathways are dependent on CCAF degree.

Arizona State University: With ASU’s scholarship for active duty military and reserve, members will not be out of pocket for tuition expenses beyond Federal Tuition Assistance. 

• BAS in Operations Management

• BAS in Health Sciences

• BAS in Health Entrepreneurship and Innovation

*For specific degree information, reach out to the ASU admissions team using the scholarship link above.

Boise State University: Through the TA Promise program, eligible active duty, guard, and reserve members using Tuition Assistance (TA) receive a scholarship to reduce their price per credit hour to match TA. 

• BAS (Interdisciplinary)

• Bachelor of Business Administration in Management

• Bachelor's in Public Health

Colorado Technical University 

• BS in Criminal Justice

• BS in Healthcare Management

• BS in Management

Dakota State University

• BS in Cyber Leadership and Intelligence

Eastern Oregon University: Offers a scholarship to cover tuition that exceeds TA. For those taking 100 percent of their coursework online and who have served in the National Guard or Reserves on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, EOU offers the Active Duty Scholarship to cover all remaining tuition after other benefits are applied. Active duty military members receive priority registration.

• BS in Business Administration

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

• BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

• BS in Technical Management

• BS in Emergency Services

• BS (Interdisciplinary Studies)

• BS in Aeronautics

• BS in Project Management

• BS in Safety Management

Fort Hays State University

• Bachelor of General Studies

  • Information Networking and Telecommunications Focus

  • Political Leadership and Public Service Focus

  • Human Services Focus

  • Justice Studies Focus

• BS in Technology and Leadership

  • Career and Technical Education Concentration

  • Business and Industry Focus

Georgia Military College 

• BAS Business Management

• BAS Healthcare Management

• BAS Supervision and Management

• BAS Supply Chain and Logistics

Grand Canyon University

• BS in Applied Business Analytics

• BS in Applied Business Information Systems

• BS in Applied Management

• BS in Health Sciences 

• Bachelor of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Granite State College

• BS Allied Health Leadership

• BS Education and Training

• BS in Management

• BS Criminal Justice

• BS Healthcare Management

• BS Human Resources Management

• BS Human Services

• BS Operations Management

• BS in Public Service

• BS Technology Management

Indiana Wesleyan University: Zero out-of-pocket costs for textbooks

• BS in Management

McKendree University: Technology and lab fees waived

• Bachelor of Business Administration 

• BA in Psychology

Minot State University: Tech fees waived

• BAS Applied Business Information Technology

• Bachelor of General Studies

• BS Criminal Justice

• BS Human Services

• BS in Management

Missouri Western State University

• BS in Technology

Northern Arizona University

• BIS Emergency Management

• BIS Justice Studies

• BIS Public Administration

• BAS Logistics and Supply Chain Management

• BIS Technology Management

• BIS Industrial Leadership

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

• BA in Criminal Justice

• BAS Allied Health

Old Dominion University 

• BS in General Engineering Technology

Purdue University Global:  Purdue Global is on the quarter semester hour system, and reduces price per credit hour for actively serving military members by 55%, which is lower than the TA cap.

• BS in Criminal Justice 

• BS in Fire and Emergency Management

• BS in Fire Science

• BS in Health and Wellness

• BS in Health Care Administration

• BS in Health Science

• BS in Nutrition

St. Joseph’s College New York

• BS in Criminal Justice

• BS in General Studies

Syracuse University

• BPS Cybersecurity Administration

• BPS in Creative Leadership

University of Arizona

• BAS Administration of Justice

• BAS Cyber Operations

• BAS Human Services

• BAS Applied Computing

• BAS Intelligence and Information Operations

• BAS Organizational Leadership & Regional Commerce

University of Charleston

• BS in Organizational Leadership

University of North Dakota

• BA in Communication

• BS in Computer Science

• BA in Psychology

• Bachelor of General Studies

• BS in Electrical Engineering

University of Northwestern Ohio

• BS in Healthcare Administration

• BS in Automotive Technology Supervision

• BS Specialized Studies: Business Administration

  • With optional Add-on concentration in Marketing, Automotive Management/Automotive Aftermarket, or Agribusiness Management

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CCAF AND AU-ABC PROGRAM OPTIONS, CONTACT OUR EDUCATION EXPERT TODAY!

Education FAQ: GI Bill

How do I apply for education benefits?

You can securely fill out your application for benefits online. Click here and scroll down to the green “find your education benefits form” button. You will need your social security number, military history, and education plan. The VA also asks for your direct deposit information so that allowances can be sent directly to your bank account.

When does the Gi Bill pay?

The VA pays your tuition and fees directly to the school, once enrollment has been verified. The Post 9/11 GI Bill also pays a housing allowance and book stipend directly to eligible students receiving benefits. Payments are issued at the beginning of the month for training that occurred during the previous month. For example, if you are enrolled in a program on September 1, the soonest you will be paid is October 1. If you have a class that ends on September 14, with another starting on September 18, you will receive a housing stipend from Sept 1-14, then for September 18-30. This is why your housing payments may not always look the same or be deposited at the same time.  

For information on Montgomery GI Bill benefits, click here.

Will the Gi Bill pay for school online?

Yes! Whether you attend in person or online, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will still pay tuition, housing, and supply stipend. View current rates here.

Which Gi Bill do I qualify for?

You could be eligible for Post-9/11 education benefits if you served at least 90 days active duty, either continuous or interrupted, after September 10, 2001. To learn more about your eligibility for Post-9/11, Montgomery, or other VA education benefits, visit this link or contact the VA Education Help Desk at 1-888-442-4551.

You can be eligible for more than one education benefit, but can only receive payments from one program at a time. The maximum amount of VA education benefits you can receive is 48 months, with an exception if you are eligible to use Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits first.

Can the Gi Bill be used by my spouse?

Yes! If you have transferred your benefits, or are eligible to. You may be able to transfer your Post-9/11 benefits if you are an active duty service member or in the Selected Reserve. All of these must be true:

• You’ve completed at least 6 years of service on the date your request is approved, AND

• You agree to add 4 more years of service, AND

• The person getting benefits has enrolled in DEERS.

If you have already exited service, your benefits cannot be transferred.

Will the Gi Bill pay for a Master’s degree?

Yes! The Post-9/11 GI Bill can be used for undergraduate and graduate degrees, vocational/technical training, OJT and apprenticeships, flight training, and more.

Can the Gi Bill be extended?

Sometimes. There are certain circumstances that can extend your eligibility period if your GI Bill has an expiration date. 

You may also qualify for an additional 9 months of tuition up to $30,000 if you are an eligible veteran or dependent in a high-demand STEM field through the Edith Norse Rogers STEM Scholarship.

Education FAQ: Veteran Readiness and Employment Benefit Changes

Recent changes could mean more Gi Bill Benefits for some veterans

What is VR&E?

The VA administered Veteran Readiness and Employment, formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Chapter 31 benefit is designed to provide additional assistance to veterans and service members that have a service-connected disability rating that prevents or limits their ability to work. 

Under VR&E, eligible members can receive support services in 5 areas: re-employment, rapid access to employment, self-employment, employment through long-term services, and independent living.

You may qualify for additional education benefits

Under the long-term services track, veterans or service members that find it hard to succeed in their current employment path, due to their service-connected disability, could receive education and training benefits to work in a field that better suits their current abilities and interests. 

Retraining paths may include professional or vocational education to be marketable in their newly selected career field. This means you may receive additional funding for college, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training programs. 

While VR&E can provide education and subsistence funding, much like the GI Bill, the main focus is to provide resources that lead to quality employment that will not further aggravate a service-connected disability. You will work with a VR&E Counselor to determine entitlement and create an education and employment plan. At minimum, in order to receive benefits under this track, the VA requires all to be true: 

• You have an employment barrier or handicap, and

• You’re enrolled in VR&E, and

• Your service-connected disability makes it hard for you to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that doesn’t make your disability worse, is stable, and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests)

Recent VR&E Changes May Affect GI Bill Eligibility

The Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills provide up to 36 months of education benefits. Since many members qualify for more than one benefit, the “rule of 48” caps government funded education benefits at 48 total months. Now, if eligible members use VR&E benefits prior to using any other VA education program, such as GI Bill, they can still use up to 48 total months of the other educational assistance benefit programs. 

A recent update from the VA states that “effective April 1, 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will no longer count the use of Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E) benefits (Chapter 31) against the 48-month limit on GI Bill education benefits such as the Post-9/11 GI bill.”

Veterans and service members currently using VR&E benefits may see a recalculated increase in GI Bill eligibility due to VR&E “charged” as prior VA training.

What should I do first?

Using GI Bill education benefits prior to VR&E will continue to count against the 48-month limit on Veterans Readiness and Employment benefits. Because of the way the law is worded, there is a distinction between the order of usage to get the maximum amount of education allotment.

Mission43 members that have a service-connected disability rating and think they may be eligible for VR&E benefits should consider using VR&E benefits prior to GI Bill, provided that their GI Bill benefit delimitation date does not occur prior to expected graduation or training completion date. 

Connect with the local VA Veterans Readiness and Employment Counselor, or visit eBenefits to apply. For additional clarification, members should contact the VA Education Help Desk at 1-888-442-4551.

Learn more

For more information, connect with Mission43’s education advisor today!