There are a number of scholarships available for those who may be looking to leverage their military service. The Veterans Administration (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) both have needs of veterans and have scholarships available. There is a whole slew of scholarships based in National Security that can provide a career into any number of federal departments like DoD, Homeland Security, and the Department of State. Although, these types of scholarships are not strictly veteran scholarships, they can be veteran friendly.

Specifically veteran scholarships are available through organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), AMVETS, and American Legion. Although, even here some scholarships may be directed at certain careers or at the children of veterans. There are numerous small to large scholarships that are given out by organizations that may be open to all veterans or specific individuals. Military organizations many times provide veteran scholarships. These military organizations are often association of a certain branch of the military, members from a certain grouping (company, division, squadron, wing, fleet, ship, etc.), or specialty. Then there are a string of patriotically oriented organizations that provide scholarships too.

Some schools offer veteran scholarships. They may be from the state, the school, or a fund managed by the school. Although these schools may not be one’s first choice as they can be small or far-flung, but they can be worth attending because the scholarship can be substantial. So, when looking for money for college as a veteran and a school name pops-up be sure to follow-up.

All this is not to discount the best of veteran scholarships in the form of the GI Bill. First established following World War II, the federal government has provided funds for veterans to go to college. The recent advent of the GI Bill since 1985 is that the amount of funds available are based upon a contribution basis and are available for up to ten years after discharge. Looking at what may be available for the GI Bill would be the first step for a veteran.

Do not sit down and just stare at the wall all day thinking what other means you must do to get yourself the education that you really deserve. Being in the military dependent scholarships program is easy, you just need to have been declared by military personnel, it doesn’t matter if the military personnel are still in active duty, a veteran, already retired or is deceased. Once you are qualified, you can apply for the many scholarship programs that the government has funded for dependents like you. It is important to read carefully the guidelines and rules if you are trying to meet the eligibility criteria and to know your rights for the claims you will be getting.

To give you examples of the military dependent scholarships, they can be categorized into the following:

Scholarships for dependents of Air Force Personnel – the awards and scholarships will be in the range of $1,000 – $2,000 and their criteria states that the maximum age of the claimant must not exceed 23 years old by August of that year.

POW/MIA Scholarships – these are scholarships grants to dependents of prisoners of war and missing in action military personnel’s. To receive consideration, they have more stricter guidelines and needs you to secure some papers from the government regarding of the actual whereabouts or status of the military men that you are depending of.

For branch specific organizations that offers military scholarships grants you can directly proceed to the following branches:

Navy – Navy Marine Crops Relief Society
Air Force – The Air Force Aid Society
Coast Guard – The Coast Guard Mutual Funds Aid
Army – Army Emergency Relief Programs

You can go over the yellow pages or to your local directory assistance unit to ask for directions to reach the offices of these branches in your local area.

If you put it simply, the military dependent scholarships and grants programs can reach up to $10,000+ of scholarships award that you can use for your schooling and education needs. The most basic of its use is for tuition fees, books, expenses, board and lodging, rents and many more. If you are a single mom, it can even be more as assistance from other means will also be granted.