Explore veteran scholarships for U.S. military veterans, including eligibility requirements, award types, deadlines, and strategic tips to help fund your education after service.
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Veteran scholarships are financial awards designed to help U.S. military veterans pay for college, career training, and professional certifications after completing their service. These scholarships are offered by nonprofit organizations, private foundations, colleges, and government programs to support veterans pursuing higher education and civilian careers.
Many veterans already qualify for federal education benefits such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which can help cover tuition, housing, and books. Scholarships can often be used alongside these benefits to reduce remaining education costs or preserve GI Bill entitlement for future use.
Browse the veteran scholarships below to find funding opportunities specifically created for former service members pursuing undergraduate degrees, graduate programs, trade schools, or workforce training.
Veteran scholarships are scholarships and grants designed to support individuals who have completed active military service. Unlike generic scholarships, veteran scholarships are crafted to address the unique needs of veterans — including transition to civilian careers, reintegration into higher education, and financial challenges after service.
These scholarships may be offered by:
They may fund undergraduate degrees, graduate programs, vocational or technical training, certifications, and workforce credentialing.
Veteran scholarships are designed for individuals who previously served in the U.S. Armed Forces and are continuing their education after military service.
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the scholarship, but applicants may include:
Many scholarship programs require proof of military service, transcripts, letters of recommendation, or personal essays describing career goals and leadership experience.
Federal & State Veteran Scholarships
State-specific and federally supported awards for veterans returning to education.
Institutional Veteran Awards
Scholarships offered directly by colleges and universities for veteran students.
Need-Based Veteran Scholarships
Financial awards that consider economic need in addition to veteran status.
Field-Specific & Career Transition Scholarships
Scholarships tailored to veterans entering high-demand fields such as healthcare, engineering, cybersecurity, business, and education.
Service Organization & Nonprofit Scholarships
Support from veteran service organizations (VSOs), community foundations, and nonprofits dedicated to veterans’ education.
Corporate Veteran Support Scholarships
Scholarships funded by employers and corporate partners focused on veteran hiring pipelines and workforce development.
Veteran scholarships typically require:
Some awards also consider:
Veterans often combine scholarships with federal education benefits to maximize funding for their education.
Programs such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill can cover tuition, housing, and books while veterans attend college or training programs. Scholarships can help pay for additional costs such as fees, supplies, or living expenses not fully covered by federal benefits.
Learn more about how GI Bill education benefits work here.
Veterans can also explore state education benefits that may provide additional tuition waivers, scholarships, or in-state tuition protections.