20 Scholarships for Military Children

If one of your parents is an active duty service member in any of the military branches, such as the United States Army, the United States Armed Forces, the United States Coast Guard, the National Guard, the Air Force, or any other branch of military duty, there are scholarship opportunities to help with receiving higher education and a college degree.

Children of active-duty military service members scholarships are financial awards that are only open to applicants who are children of veterans or active-duty members.

What Qualifies as a Military children Scholarship?

It is usually very easy to tell when a scholarship is meant specifically for children of military service members. All scholarships have certain requirements that applicants have to meet to be considered for the award.

Make sure that applicants encouraged to apply are children of veterans or active-duty members. There are a lot of scholarships for military spouses or other active-duty military family members besides children.

Types of Military Children Scholarships Available

There are different types of scholarships and financial aid that are open to only children of active service members or all students for applications. Here is a short list of the types of scholarships available. 

Major-based

Major-based scholarships are financial awards that are only available to students who have declared a particular major. These scholarships can be as broad as only Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) majors, or they can be as specific as only open to a specific college degree major.

Athletic

Athletic scholarships are decided based on a student’s athletic ability usually within a given sport. Oftentimes, coaches from interested schools will scout out students who are performing well during their sport’s season and decide whether or not to make an offer.  

Athletic scholarships can also be sponsored by an organization other than a sports team where applicants have to write about their experiences playing for their team.  

Identity-based

Scholarships with the qualification partially based on the applicant’s identity are open only to people within those groups. These scholarships exist to try and help students from disadvantaged backgrounds and marginalized communities. They also give awards to students who share the same characteristics as someone who has passed in their honor.

How to Find Military Children Scholarships to Apply for?

The internet is the best place to start if you need help looking for scholarships. There are many websites dedicated to collecting and showcasing scholarships to students who meet certain criteria. Using these websites is helpful because you can filter out scholarships that you know you won’t qualify for. You can also bookmark scholarships that you don’t qualify for now but may be good for upcoming semesters. 

Your advisor or other students within your major or degree program are also great resources to use to find scholarships. Your school’s Junior Reserves Officers Training Corps. (JROTC) or other military-associated program directors would also be a great resource to find out more about scholarships for military children. 

Other good places to look for scholarships are local businesses or organizations to see if they sponsor scholarships for college students. This is an especially good idea if you live in a city near a military base or military family community.

Tips for Winning military children Scholarships

For college scholarships that require an essay, make sure that your essay answers all parts of the prompt. Look for ramblings or extra information that doesn’t pertain to the subject of the prompt.

Also, make sure that your writing is clear and engaging. Having an essay that is boring and hard to read is an easy way to lose the sponsor’s attention when they try to read your response. 

Another way to increase your chances of winning is to go for scholarships with smaller award amounts. Many students go for the big-ticket dollar amounts in hopes of “winning big” and getting the most money possible. But, a lot of students will apply for these same scholarships for this reason. Making the pool of students that you’re competing against smaller gives you a better chance of winning.

Frequently Asked Questions About military children Scholarships

Still, have some questions about scholarships for military children? Here are some answers to common questions that you might have. 

Are military children’s scholarships legit?

Yes, scholarships for military children are legit. There are scams out there which is why it is important to be careful when you’re applying for scholarships especially if you are doing so online. 

How can I improve my chances of winning military children’s scholarships?

There are several things you can do to improve your chances of winning college student scholarships.

• Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements 
• Make yourself stand out in your response 
• Apply earlier than the deadline  
• Look for awards that give awards to multiple winners 

How many military children scholarships can you get?

Generally, there is no limit to the number of scholarships for college students that you can get, so you don’t have to limit yourself when you are applying. 

Are military children’s scholarships taxable income?

Generally, no scholarships are not considered taxable income. However, this is only true if you are enrolled at an eligible college in a degree program and are using the funds for school-related expenses. 

What’s the best way to apply for military children scholarships?

Applying online is likely one of the easiest ways to apply for scholarships. You can find and filter the scholarships you apply for as well as keep track of these scholarships after you apply. Other students who are applying at the same time can also share links to scholarships that they think you would have a good chance of winning.