5 Featured College Scholarships for Veterans

We also have developed a guide to finding and applying for scholarships. Our infographic featuring easy scholarships may also be helpful.

Higher education has become very important when it comes to gainful employment in the United States. During the transition from military life to college life, there are many military and veteran-friendly colleges to choose from. However, it’s still important for our former enlisted men and women to be able to make the most of all of their benefits and other financial opportunities, including utilizing college scholarships designed for veterans.

These scholarships were chosen to be featured based on the financial amount, the range of study options offered, and other assistance provided – such as housing, college choice and specific veteran needs.

There are many terrific scholarships (some for substantial amounts) available to veterans which are not listed, so it is recommended to check with your adviser at your school of choice to find out if there are local scholarships or others for which you may fit the unique criteria. We also have a graphic featuring easy scholarships that may be of further help.

CCME Veteran Scholarship

Worldwide
Scholarship Amount: $1000
Deadline: December 15, 2025 (11:59pm EST)

https://www.ccmeonline.org/scholarships

Each year the Council of College and Military Educators offers college scholarships for $1000 for veterans along with their scholarships for active duty service members and one for the spouses of service members. All three scholarships can be found on the same webpage, with the veteran scholarship listed third.

Eligibility and Application Details:

• Applicants must be a prior uniformed service member.
• Current enrollment is required at a regional or national accredited institution that is also a CCME member institution.
• Veterans should be first time associate, bachelor, or graduate degree seekers.
• Undergraduates are required to have a minimum of 12 hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 from the CCME member institution.
• Graduates are required to have a minimum of 6 hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 from the CCME member institution.
• Applicants must submit an unofficial college or university transcript from their current institution.
• 2 recommendation forms (link can be found online) are to be completed by someone other than the applicant or their relatives. They are to attest to the integrity and character as well as motivation and educational pursuit of the applicant. One recommendation is required to be from a faculty member or academic advisor.
• An original essay of 400-750 words is to be submitted on the topic of “How has collaborating with others strengthened you and how do you see yourself collaborating to serve others in the future?” Essays are to be judged on both written content and writing skills.

Veterans can find the online application link on the website, as well as the links to the recommendation form and the CCME member institution list. An email is provided on the webpage for those who have questions about the scholarships or applications.

American Legion Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

Indianapolis, Indiana
Scholarship Amount: $2000
Deadline: March 1, 2026

https://www.alaforveterans.org/Scholarships/Non-Traditional-Student-Scholarship/

The American Legion Auxiliary offers $2000 college scholarships for veterans who are returning to school to get certification, learn new and relevant trade skills, or are pursuing a degree in order to compete in today’s job market. Each year there is one scholarship is awarded per Auxiliary geographic division.

Eligibility and Application Details:

• Applicants are required to be members of the American Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of the American Legion.
• Membership dues must have been paid for two years prior to application.
• Applicants may be enrolled in a 2 or 4-year degree program or training in a certified professional, trade, or technical program.

The college scholarship application is available in a downloadable doc on the American Legion Auxiliary scholarship webpage.

The VFW’s Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship

Nationwide
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5000
Deadline: Jan 1 – April 30 AND Aug 1 – Nov 15
https://www.vfw.org/assistance/student-veterans-support?cookieCheck=true

The VFW and Sport Clips Haircuts team up in order to offer college scholarships twice a year to deserving veterans. Together they are happy to be able to help veterans reduce stress related to the high cost of education and the burden of student debt.

Eligibility and Application Details:

• Applicants must be a United States citizen.
• Applicants must have completed Basic Training and follow-on training, such as Advanced Individual Training or technical school, etc.
• Retired, honorably discharged, active duty, and members of the National Guard or Reserve are eligible to apply.
• Separated with or currently hold an E-5 or below military rank.
• Applicants must demonstrate the need of financial assistance.
• It is required that applicants be accepted, enrolled, or participating in a VA-approved program or school at an accredited institution.

Scholarships are awarded twice per year to qualified applicants and are limited to one per family per semester. Scholarships are paid directly to the institutions and are limited to tuition and fees. Scholarships must be used by the end of the semester for which they are applied. For further details and links to the application, please visit the VFW website. There is also a link on their webpage provided for FAQ’s as well as another for emails if applicants have any further questions pertaining to the scholarship or application.

phone, the number is located with the email address. There is an “apply now” button located at the bottom of the page.

Google SVA Scholarship

Washington, DC
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 31, 2026

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarships/google-sva-scholarship

Google and the Student Veterans Association together offer 8 college scholarships for student veterans for $10,000 each in order to pursue a degree in computer science. Those selected for the scholarship will also be invited to attend Google’s Summer Annual Scholars’ Retreat, a great opportunity to get to know and network with other top students in the field of computer science as well as some of the Google engineers.

Eligibility and Application Details:

• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a graduate or undergraduate student in a 4-Year accredited institution.
• Students must intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student in the United States for the academic year.
• Applicants must maintain strong academic performance.
• It is required that applicants be pursuing a degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering or a related field. (Please see the list of acceptable related fields on their webpage.)
• Applicants can be student veterans, proven by DD-214 and transcript OR Active Duty, proven by Active Duty orders, a Memorandum of Understanding from your commanding officer illustrating that you are still in good standing with your unit, and transcript.
• Applicants must have proof of honorable discharge or currently be in good standing with their branch of the military.
• A copy of the applicant’s current resume should be submitted with the application.
• Two letters of reference from a professor, adviser, or supervisor are required. Details are available on the scholarship webpage.
• An unofficial copy of school transcripts should be submitted by the applicant.
• 300 to 500-word answers to each of three essay questions compiled into one document is required of each applicant. The essay questions can be found near the bottom of the scholarship webpage.

Veterans interested in applying for this scholarship should review all of the details on the scholarship webpage. There is an application button at the bottom of the page along with a button for letters of recommendation.

Tillman Scholars – Pat Tillman Foundation

Chicago, Illinois
Scholarship Amount: Awards educational expenses, including tuition and fees, books and living expenses
Deadline: Opens December 1, 2025

The Pat Tillman Foundation offers this scholarship for veterans as well as active-duty military service members and spouses. Becoming a Tillman Scholar offers students much more than educational expenses, other benefits include an invitation to the annual Pat Tillman Leadership Summit in Chicago, IL, an entry in Pat’s Run in Tempe, AZ, and an invitation to premiere partner conferences including Inc. 500/5000 to name a few.

Eligibility and Application Details:

• Applicants may be veterans or active duty military service members and their spouses or surviving spouses. National Guard and Reserve are also eligible.
• Applicants must be honorably discharged from pre-and-post-9/11 service.
• Applicants must be enrolled full time in an undergraduate or graduate or professional degree program at an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning.
• Applicants must provide documentation of their military career or community impact as a military spouse. Discharged members should submit their most recent DD-214 (with the SSN blacked out) and active National Guard or Reservists can provide alternate military service forms.
• A current and complete resume must be submitted.
• 1 character reference for the applicant must be submitted.
• Applicants must submit answers two essay questions on given topics.
• Applicants who progress in the selection process may be asked to provide additional documents and have a background check.

Military and veteran students interested in becoming a Tillman Scholar should visit their website for more complete information and requirements. Applications will be reopening in February.