Are you the grandchild of a veteran dreaming of pursuing higher education but concerned about the rising costs? Your family’s legacy of service could be the key to unlocking valuable financial support for your academic journey.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 17 scholarship opportunities specifically designed for grandchildren of veterans, potentially saving you thousands of dollars in tuition and related expenses.
Whether you’re a high school senior planning your college career or a current undergraduate seeking additional financial aid, this guide is your roadmap to navigating the world of veteran-legacy scholarships.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of the opportunities available and the steps you need to take to apply.
Can grandchildren of veterans get benefits for college?
As you can clearly see from the context, the answer is yes. Note however that grandchildren of veterans would generally be required to prove the service of their grandparent to qualify for these scholarship grants. Read on for 17 specific examples.
17 College Scholarships for grandchildren of veterans
1. The Tailhook Educational Foundation Scholarships
Amount: $1,000 – $15,000
Awards: Over 100
Eligibility: Children and grandchildren of Naval Aviation personnel
Deadline: Typically in March
2. Legionnaire Insurance Trust Scholarships
For military-related scholarships, applicants can include veterans, their children, or grandchildren. These scholarships are valid for accredited schools, vocational institutions, or Minnesota universities and colleges. An important qualification is displaying good citizenship as a character trait. This combination of military ties, education, and good citizenship unlocks numerous scholarship opportunities.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $500
Award: 1
Deadline: April 2024
3. Daniel E. Lambert Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship eligibility is open to children or grandchildren of veterans who are U.S. citizens. This applies to students pursuing their education at accredited colleges in Maine or vocational or technical schools. These scholarships offer financial support to those with this specific family connection and educational focus.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $1,000
Awards: 2
Deadline: May-1-2024
4. ALA Department of Texas Scholarship
Scholarships cater to high school seniors in Texas who are children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of veterans. These scholarships are designed to support students with these military connections who are on the cusp of transitioning to higher education.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $500
Award: 1
Deadline: May 2024
5. AMVETS National Scholarship Program
These scholarships are available to U.S. citizens who are either children or grandchildren of veterans. The educational options encompass accredited colleges or universities, accredited technical schools, and accredited trade schools. This ensures that eligible candidates have a range of institutions to choose from when pursuing their academic goals.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $1,000
Awards: 6
Deadline: Apr-15-2024
6. William D. & Jewell Brewer Scholarship
These scholarships are tailored for residents of Michigan who are either children or grandchildren of veterans. Eligible recipients can choose to attend either a university or a college, allowing them flexibility in their pursuit of higher education while honoring their family’s military background.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $500
Award: 1
Deadline: Jan-11-2024
7. Guy M. Wilson Scholarship
These scholarships are designed for high school seniors in Michigan who are the grandchildren of veterans. They offer financial assistance to honor the military service of their grandparents and support their pursuit of higher education.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $500
Award: 1
Deadline: Jan-11-2024
8. Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship, Oregon
Scholarships are open to descendants of American Legion members, veterans, and those connected to veterans of various wars, including the Korean War, World War I, and World War II. These scholarships are affiliated with the American Legion and support students attending four-year colleges.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $2,500–$3,500
Awards: 15
Deadline: March 2024
9. Junior Scholarship
Scholarships are available to Oregon residents who are either the grandchildren or great-grandchildren of veterans. These scholarships are offered through the American Legion Auxiliary, a professional organization dedicated to supporting education for eligible students.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $500
Award: 1
Deadline: March 2024
10. Florence Lemcke Fine Arts
These scholarships are for students in Washington who are descendants of veterans, allowing them to pursue their studies in select creative majors within the K–12 education system.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $1,000
Award: 1
Deadline: n/a
11. Illinois AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Memorial Scholarships
These scholarships are for high school seniors in Illinois who are either children or grandchildren of veterans. They provide support for the pursuit of higher education.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: n/a
Award: 1
Deadline: n/a
12. Erman W. Taylor Scholarship
These scholarships are available to students in Missouri who are either children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of veterans and are pursuing a major in education at accredited colleges or universities.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $750
Award: 1
Deadline: n/a
13. Marguerite McAlpin Nursing
These scholarships are open to students attending K–12 schools in Washington who are children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of veterans and are pursuing a major in nursing.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $1,000
Award: 1
Deadline: n/a
14. M.D. Jack Murphy Scholarship
These scholarships are available for students in Missouri who are either children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of veterans and are pursuing a major in nursing at accredited colleges or universities.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $1,000
Award: 1
Deadline: n/a
15. Ben Brock Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for grandchildren of veterans seeking a degree in geography, software engineering, or computer science. This award supports an active military, veteran, or family member of a veteran or active military member to afford college tuition.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March 1, 2023
Announcement: April 1, 2023
16. Veterans Next Generation Scholarship
While not specifically for grandchildren of veterans, a family member of a military family should not shy away from submitting their personal story to this $750 award.
KEY INFORMATION
Amount: $750
Deadline: December 7, 2022
Announcement: January 6, 2023
Application Tips
To win the Grandchildren of Veterans Scholarship, applicants must show the following attributes:
- Community Engagement: Show active involvement in your community, with a strong emphasis on community service.
- Interest in Veterans Affairs: Demonstrate a genuine interest in veterans’ affairs, especially if you’re a high school senior or student who is a child or grandchild of a veteran.
Who qualifies for these scholarships?
Eligible individuals for these scholarships are broadly defined, and they include:
- Spouses and children of military servicemembers, with exceptions for adult children aged 21 or older, according to the U.S. Army’s definition of military dependents
- Depending on specific circumstances, parents, adult children, grandchildren, foster children, siblings, cousins, nieces, or nephews of servicemembers may also qualify as military dependents.
Those falling into these categories, as well as being dependents of veterans or service members, such as a service member’s spouse or child, have the potential to access a variety of scholarships tailored to their unique circumstances.
These scholarships are designed with the specific goal of helping military-connected individuals alleviate the financial burden of college tuition and related expenses.
Tips to help you clinch one of the scholarships
The following prompts are things you should consider in your essay:
- Sacrifices and Background: Share the sacrifices your family has made due to military service in a 250-500 word response. Discuss why your status as the grandchild of a veteran is advantageous, the challenges you’ve faced, and how these experiences have shaped you.
- Emotional Impact: If you’ve experienced emotional distress during your loved one’s military service, narrate your story in a 250-500 word response. Reflect on the valuable lessons you’ve learned from these trying times and how they have influenced your personal growth.
- Pride and Gratitude: Reflect on what makes you most proud and grateful for your family member’s military service in a 250–500 word response. Explain how being the grandchild of a veteran can benefit your educational and career goals. Outline your aspirations beyond college.
- Educational and Career Goals: Express in a 250-500 word response what you wish the American people better understood about military service and military families. Describe how your military background serves as an advantage for your educational and career goals, and discuss the challenges you’ve encountered.
Conclusion: Your Next Steps to Scholarship Success
As a grandchild of a veteran, you stand at the threshold of exceptional educational opportunities. The 17 scholarships we’ve explored represent more than just financial aid—they’re a tribute to your family’s legacy of service and a gateway to your future success.
Remember:
- You’re Already Qualified: By virtue of your grandparent’s service, you’ve already met a crucial eligibility criterion for these scholarships.
- Diverse Opportunities: From national awards to state-specific grants, there’s likely a scholarship that fits your unique situation and aspirations.
- Every Dollar Counts: Whether it’s $500 or $20,000, each scholarship can significantly reduce your educational expenses.
Don’t let doubt or hesitation hold you back. Here’s how to take action today:
- Mark Your Calendar: Note the application deadlines for scholarships that match your eligibility. Set reminders well in advance.
- Gather Your Documents: Start collecting necessary materials like proof of your grandparent’s service, academic transcripts, and recommendation letters.
- Craft Your Story: Begin drafting your application essays, focusing on how your grandparent’s service has influenced your life and goals.
- Seek Guidance: Reach out to school counselors, financial aid offices, or local veteran organizations for application advice.
- Apply, Apply, Apply: Don’t limit yourself to just one scholarship. The more you apply for, the better your chances of securing funding.
Remember, these scholarships aren’t just financial opportunities—they’re investments in your potential, honoring the legacy of service in your family. Your grandparent served our country; now it’s your turn to serve your future.
Don’t wait for tomorrow. Start your application process today. Your dream education is within reach, and these scholarships can help you get there. Take that first step now, and set your educational journey in motion!
