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Finding the right scholarship can make all the difference for dependents of disabled veterans pursuing higher education.
A range of funding options are available to help cover tuition, books, and other school-related expenses.
Whether you’re starting your search or ready to apply, this post will educate you about available scholarships for dependents of disabled veterans.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Scholarships for dependents of disabled veterans help assist with financial aid for spouses, children, and grandchildren.
- Qualified family members (e.g., children and spouses) who are dependents of a disabled veteran may be eligible for VA education benefits.
- Each scholarship has unique application processes, requiring documentation such as proof of relation to the veteran, the veteran’s VA disability rating, academic records, and sometimes an essay.
Scholarships for Children of Disabled Veterans
American Legion Legacy Scholarship
The American Legion offers a Legacy Scholarship for children of service members who died on active duty after September 11, 2001, or veterans with a combined VA disability rating of 50% or higher. The scholarship program is intended to cover tuition, books, fees, and other college-related costs.
Eligibility: Must be the dependent child of a post-9/11 active-duty or disabled veteran.
Benefits: Covered expenses may include tuition, fees, books, program costs, meal plans, and housing, using expenses up to $5,000 for disabled military personnel.
Freedom Alliance
The Freedom Alliance has a scholarship fund for military children of deceased or disabled service members. The application process is open to high school seniors and graduates, and those currently enrolled as undergraduate, vocational, or trade school students.
Students pursuing a scholarship with the Freedom Alliance can apply here.
Eligibility: The dependent son or daughter of a U.S. Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Guardsman, or Marine who has become 100% totally & permanently disabled as a direct result of a combat mission, with priority given to those who have a single combat-related disability rated at 70% or more. Additionally, eligibility includes dependents of service members who:
- Were killed in action (KIA).
- Suffered a major limb amputation due to enemy action.
- Were classified as Prisoners of War (POWs) or Missing in Action (MIA).
- Were awarded the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, or Coast Guard Cross.
- Were involved in a training accident that resulted in death or 100% total and permanent disability.
- Applicants must be under the age of 26 at the time of application.
This does not apply to Servicemembers who are Silver Star or Purple Heart medal recipients, as they only need a combined 100% total and permanent disability rating. The qualifying military veteran must have received an Honorable discharge.
Benefits: Award amounts are based on the student’s individual circumstances.
Folds of Honor Foundation
The Folds of Honor Foundation offers financial aid to spouses and dependent children of fallen or disabled veterans or service members. You must apply through their online portal; applications are not accepted via mail, fax, email, or over the phone.
The application window runs from February 1st to March 31st.
Eligibility: You must be the spouse or dependent child of a military service member or first responder who has fallen or been disabled. Minimum SAT/ACT and GPA: 2.0 or higher term GPA for the two most recent academic terms (Fall and Spring, not Summer).
Children’s Fund Eligibility Requirements
Higher Ed Eligibility Requirements
Benefits: The scholarship is valued at up to $5,000 per academic year, with no term exceeding $2,500 and a minimum payment of $100 per term. Folds of Honor defines “unmet need” as the portion of tuition, fees, on-campus dormitory housing (Higher Ed), meal plans (Higher Ed), and required textbooks for the term not covered by other financial aid or awards. If the unmet need is less than $2,500, only the actual unmet need will be disbursed. The remaining funds may be used by the student in another term within the same academic year.
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation’s goal is to provide college scholarships to dependent children of deceased or disabled veterans of the Marine Corps. The scholarship is available to children without an undergraduate degree or who have completed the required undergraduate courses.
Eligibility for Children of Wounded Service Members:
- Children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit who were wounded in action in any war or conflict.
- Children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit permanently retired from the Marine Corps or Navy due to their service-related injury.
- Children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit whose parent is currently ill or injured and serving with Wounded Warrior Regiment/Battalion.
Benefits: The Scholarship Foundation provides scholarship support of up to $40,000 over four years ($2,500 – $10,000 per year) for children of wounded service members.
Fisher House Hero’s Legacy Scholarship
The Fisher House Hero’s Legacy Scholarship is offered to dependent children and is based on academic achievement, participation in school, community, and volunteer activities, work experience, and a required essay.
The scholarship is funded by tax proceeds from former U.S. President Barack Obama’s book “Of Thee I Sing. A Letter to My Daughters” and private donations.
You must remain in good academic standing and enroll or plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate program leading to a bachelor’s degree or a community/junior college designed to allow for a direct transfer into a four-year program.
Eligibility:
- Open to dependent unmarried children under age 23 of Reserve/Guard, retired service members, and disabled service members.
- It also applies to the dependent children of deceased veterans who died through their active military service since September 11, 2001.
Benefits: The scholarship is awarded annually and can be used for qualified expenses, including tuition, fees, lab fees, and books. The check is mailed directly to the school, not to the student.
Scholarships for Spouses of Disabled Veterans
National Military Family Association
The National Military Family Association offers financial assistance to military spouses of service members who are 100% disabled and served post 9/11. You can use the funds toward tuition, course or lab fees, program costs, program fees, or exam costs/fees.
Eligibility:
To be eligible to apply, BOTH of the following two statements must be true:
1. You, the applicant, are the spouse of a veteran who served post 9/11/2001 and meets one of the below requirements:
- Active-duty service member
- Retiree (including medically retired)
- 100% Disabled Veteran
- Guardsman
- Reservist
- Fallen service member
or
- You are a 20/20/20 spouse
2. You have or are eligible to hold, a valid military/Uniformed Services ID.
Benefits: NMFA spouse scholarships are one-time/year awards averaging between $500 and $2500. The amount can depend on our donors and your educational or professional needs. The average amount awarded is $1000.
Paralyzed Veterans of America Scholarship
The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Scholarship offers funds to PVA members and their immediate family members through their Educational Scholarship Program.
The application period is typically between March and May, with award winners being notified in June.
Eligibility:
- A PVA member, the spouse of a member, or an unmarried child (under 24 years of age) who is dependent (as defined by the IRS) on the member for principal support, and
- A citizen of the United States, and
- Accepted and enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in an accredited U.S. college or university.
Benefits: Eligible recipients receive $2,500 (full-time students) and $1,000 (part-time students) in aid.
Military Order of the Purple Heart
The Military Order of the Purple Heart has a scholarship program that awards scholarships annually to Purple Heart recipients and their spouses, children, and grandchildren.
Registration is open from March 1st to June 1st.
Eligibility:
- The spouse of a Purple Heart recipient who is a member of MOPH, or
- The direct lineal descendent (child, stepchild, adopted child, grandchild, step-grandchild, or great-grandchild) of a Purple Heart recipient who is a Member of MOPH, or
- The spouse, widow/widower, or direct lineal descendent as defined above of a service member killed-in-action or who died of wounds. If the Purple Heart recipient is listed as killed-in-action or died of wounds, supporting documentation and evidence must be included with the application.
Benefits: Scholarship funds can be used for tuition, books, incidental fees, room and board, and other direct costs associated with higher education.
Hope for the Warriors
Hope For the Warriors offers a Spouse/Caregiver Scholarship Program to reward the spouses and caregivers of post-9/11 veterans.
Available scholarships:
- Honorary Scholarship – Awarded to those seeking graduate or post-graduate degrees.
- New Beginnings Scholarship – Awarded to those pursuing associate and entry-level classes or training.
- Restoring Family Scholarship – Awarded to Spouses of the Fallen.
- Restoring Hope Scholarship – Awarded to those pursuing a master’s or doctorate in Social Work, Psychology Counseling, or Mental Health Counseling-related field.
- Restoring Self Scholarship – Awarded to those seeking a bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility:
Eligibility is based on a spouse or caregiver’s ability to show their post-9/11 service member or veteran sustained a combat-related injury and/or has a 100% permanent and total VA disability rating to include Individual Unemployability. The Hope for the Warriors Scholarship Program considers a combat-related injury to be an injury caused by armed conflict, hazardous duty, instrumentality of war, and simulated war.
Benefits: Scholarship funds can be used toward payment of tuition, books, and supplies. The scholarship is for U.S. colleges and universities only.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Government Sponsored Scholarships
Many states have their own scholarships for dependents of disabled veterans, so it’s best to check the state where you live. For example, Maine has the Veterans Dependents Educational Benefits program, a 100% tuition and fee waiver for spouses and dependents of veterans who have a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability.
Air Force Aid Society
The Air Force Aid Society offers the “Bee” Arnold Spouse Tuition Program to spouses of U.S. Air Force and Space Force members on active duty, Title 10 Reserve and Guard on extended active duty, and Title 32 Guard performing full-time active duty. Eligible spouses can receive up to $2,500 in financial assistance. Military members must be on active-duty orders at the time the spouse’s program/certification or class starts.
The Disabled American Veterans Scholarship
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Scholarship provides education scholarships for students attending an accredited college, university, or vocational school in the United States or Territory.
You don’t have to be a dependent of a disabled veteran to apply; however, the application process requires you to list what you have done to serve disabled veterans and their immediate families over the past two years.
Full-time students who meet the established guidelines may qualify for a scholarship of up to $2,500, and part-time students who meet the established guidelines may qualify for a scholarship of up to $750.
Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship
The Pat Tillman Foundation offers scholarships to veterans and active-duty military service members from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard, who have served in both the pre and post-9/11 eras.
It’s also offered to current spouses of veteran or active service members, including surviving spouses.
4 Tips for Applying for Scholarships for Disabled Veteran Dependents
- Start Early: Scholarship deadlines vary, so starting early helps ensure that applications are completed on time.
- Prepare a Personal Statement: Many scholarships require a personal essay or statement. Sharing your story and how the scholarship will impact your goals can make your application stand out.
- Request Recommendation Letters: Letters from teachers, mentors, or community leaders can strengthen your application. Ensure you give your recommenders plenty of notice and provide them with details about the scholarship requirements.
- Stay Organized: Track deadlines, required documents, and any additional steps for each scholarship you apply for. Consider creating a calendar or spreadsheet to keep all your applications organized.
State-Specific Veteran Benefits
You can find more state-specific disabled veteran benefits (including education benefits) in our individual state veteran guides HERE.
(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
Are there scholarships for grandchildren of disabled veterans?
Yes, there are scholarships for grandchildren of disabled veterans, including the Military Order of the Purple Heart. While most scholarships for dependents target spouses and children, it’s vital to check full eligibility requirements to verify if you qualify.
There also are scholarships for grandchildren of veterans who aren’t disabled, including from the AMVETS National Service Foundation.
What types of military-dependent scholarships are available for children of disabled veterans?
Numerous types of scholarships are available for children of disabled veterans, providing funds for tuition, books, and other educational expenses.
Are there scholarships for relatives of veterans?
Yes, there are many scholarships for relatives of veterans, depending on the status of the veteran. For example, some scholarships require you to be the dependent of a disabled veteran, while others are open to the dependents of all active-duty service members. However, most scholarships are for the spouses, children, or grandchildren of veterans.
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Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
