Student veterans, current service members, and families of service members and veterans should start looking at financial aid through the U-M Office of Financial Aid. There you will find how to apply for university scholarships and grants, federal grants and loans, and public and private scholarships available to U-M students.

The following are external, non-University scholarship opportunities that may be of interest to university/college students. Inclusion of an external scholarship opportunity is intended only as a resource for students, and does not express or imply any university involvement with, or endorsement of, the external program.

University of Michigan Military-connected Scholarships
  • Byron Lee Tennant Memorial Scholarship Fund
    Students with honorable discharge from U.S. Marine Corps or children of veterans
  • Captain David A. Dreifuss Scholarship Fund
    Student whose parent serves/served in U.S. Air Force
  • LaVerne Noyes Foundation
    Direct blood descendants of American WWI veteran
  • Lt. Norman Carl Anschuetz Memorial Scholarship
    Undergraduate ROTC students spring summer term aid
  • Marie Michell Memorial Scholarship
    1. Children or grandchildren of Women Airforce Service Pilots
    2. Applicants to Nursing School
  • SSGT Ergin V Osman Scholarship Fund (Scholarship Flyer)
    Awarded to undergraduate students who are military veterans or an undergraduate spouse/committed partner of a military veteran.
  • U-M Veterans Scholarships
    Undergrad or Grad students with financial need who are current or former U.S. Service Members
General Veteran and Dependent Scholarships
  • AAPG Military Veterans Scholarship Program
    The Foundation awards scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to cover the cost of attending a four-year accredited college or university. Scholarships are available to both active U.S. military service members (including National Guard and Reserve) or veteran members separated from active military service who have been honorably discharged,and are entering or re-entering a post-secondary undergraduate program in a field of geoscience full time or part time. Eligibility also includes military dependents (spouses and children) for the following categories: deceased, disabled, active and veteran.
  • AHIMA Foundation Veterans Scholarship
    The AHIMA Foundation Veterans Scholarship provides assistance for veterans and their spouses that are enrolled as a full time student in an accredited Health Informatics and Information Management Program.
  • American Veterans (AMVETS) Scholarships
    AMVETS annually awards scholarships to veterans/active military, and their children and grandchildren. Children and grandchildren of deceased veterans are also eligible. Awarded on the basis of academic excellence and financial need, the scholarships go to deserving high school seniors, high school JROTC students, and veterans pursuing a higher education degree.
  • Armed Forces Communication and Electronic Association
    Offers many scholarships and grants to foster educational opportunities in information management, communications and the “hard sciences” disciplines. It is specifically geared to support the development of engineers and technical personnel.
    • For Military Personnel only
    • For ROTC Cadets
    • For students in the field of education
  • CCME Educators Scholarship
    The Council of College and Military Educators (CCME) is pleased to offer $1,000 scholarships each year to United States Service members (active duty and veterans), spouses of Service members, and children of service members who are working towards the completion of higher education degrees, certifications, and licensures. In celebration of their 50th Anniversary, CCME is awarding 50 scholarships.
  • Coast Guard Foundation Scholarships and Grants
    The Coast Guard Foundation offers scholarships for dependents of Coast Guardsmen and grants for current enlisted members and their spouses. Check program criteria for eligibility rules.
  • Fleet Reserve Association Scholarships
    Fleet Reserve Association Education Foundation sponsors a scholarship program that helps deserving students by presenting awards of up to $5,000 to individuals pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Recipients are based on financial need, academic standing, character, and leadership qualities. Service members and their spouses, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are eligible to apply.
  • Michigan American Legion Auxiliary Scholarships
    Five different scholarships offered for both traditional and nontraditional students. Check the criteria for each scholarship for eligibility rules that include, but are not limited to, American Legion Auxiliary membership, age restrictions, and merit based metrics.
  • Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship Program
    The Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship Program awards scholarships to Purple Heart recipients and their spouses, children, and grandchildren. The program is competitive; see the website for additional information.
  • Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
    Provides a list of scholarships, grants and loans to service members and their families who were in the Navy or Marine Corps.
  • NAVPA Scholarship Program 
    The National Association of Veterans’ Program Administrators (NAVPA) is proud to introduce the National Scholarship Program. The Scholarship Program offers either scholarships, one to each of the eight NAVPA regions of the United States. The NAVPA scholarship is available to veterans, service members, and their dependents.
  • NBCC Foundation Military Scholarship
    NBCC Foundation military and rural scholarships provide financial support to master’s-level counseling students who are committed to serving in these communities. The military scholarship was created to increase the number of counselors available to serve military personnel and families suffering from a shortage of available mental health professionals. The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce the military scholarships for service members, veterans and their spouses pursuing a career in professional counseling.
  • Online Learning Innovator Scholarship for Veterans
    • Any veteran, active-duty service member, or a dependent who is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident and uses online platforms, tools, and resources to further their learning.
    • Amount: $1000
    • Application Deadline: Jan. 1
    • Recurring: Annually 
  • Pat Tillman Foundation
    The Tillman Scholars program supports our nation’s active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses by investing in their higher education. The scholarship covers educational expenses, including tuition and fees, books, and living expenses.
  • TonaLaw Veterans Scholarship
    The TonaLaw Veteran’s Scholarship is only open to students attending school in the United States. Students must have served in the U.S. Military and provide proof of service. Applicant must be a student at an accredited school or be accepted to begin school at an accredited school within 6 months of application. All funds will be dispersed to the scholarship recipient within 30 days of being announced as the winner. The scholarship winner is determined solely by our selection committee. All decisions of the selection committee are final. TonaLaw is not responsible for technical issues that prevent applications from being submitted or considered.
  • Top Nutrition Coaching Annual Heroes' Legacy Scholarship
    This annual scholarship is a tribute to the extraordinary dedication and sacrifice of military families who stand alongside their loved ones in service to our country. We appreciate the challenges that military families endure while a parent or guardian serves in the armed forces, and we want to lend our support to these remarkable individuals in their pursuit of higher education. To qualify for this scholarship, please ensure you meet these requirements prior to submitting your application:
    • Student of a military family (at least one parent has served in the U.S. military at some point) All high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students are eligible to apply.
    • Amount: $500
    • Application Deadline: April 1

  • West Michigan Veterans Coalition Scholarship 
    The West Michigan Veterans Coalition (WMVC) will award a total of 12 scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year, ranging from $1,000 to $1,500, for military-connected students and dependents with residency from, or currently attending, a college/university in one of the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Lake, Kent, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, or Ottawa County.

    The three scholarship programs are available for those who serve(d) in the U.S. Armed Forces or spouses/dependents, each with its own eligibility criteria and application. The online application, a PDF version, and instructions are on the WMVC website.

    Please note that WMVC scholarship recipients may use these funds for any educational-related expense(s), in addition to any other financial support they may receive (including grants, scholarships, funding through federal/state veteran programs, etc.).

    The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is Sept. 30, 2024.

Scholarships and Grants for Military Personnel and Veterans
  • AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship 
    The AFCEA Educational Foundation is dedicated to providing academic support to U.S. military personnel. Merit-based scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded to persons on active duty in the uniformed military services, to honorably discharged U.S. military veterans (including Reservists and National Guard personnel) of the Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan or Iraqi Freedom Operations (years 2004-present) who are currently enrolled and attending classes in an Undergraduate program part time or full time in an eligible STEM major degree program at an accredited four year college or university in the U.S (see eligibility section paragraph 4 for list of acceptable STEM majors).
  • Air & Space Forces Association Scholarships 
    A variety of scholarships for veterans of the Air Force and their dependents and spouses.
  • Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarships 
    The Army Women’s Foundation provides four types of Legacy Scholarships to women soldiers, past and present, and their lineal descendants, to help them attain their educational goals. Applicants must be a woman, or the child of, who served or is serving honorably in the Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard
  • Colonel Kathleen Swacina Scholarship  
    Are you a female college student pursuing a STEM major who has served in the U.S. armed forces or are enrolled in an ROTC program? If so, you may be eligible for the Colonel Kathleen Swacina Scholarship! The scholarship is open to female college STEM majors who are current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, are in ROTC programs, or descend from veterans or AFCEA members. Deadline: May 31, 2023.
  • Comcast NBCUniversal- SVA Scholarship 
    Comcast NBCUniversal has partnered with SVA to award a $12,000 scholarship to two student veterans each. Open Jan. 5-April 7, 2023.
  • Google-SVA  
    Google and SVA award eight $10,000 scholarships annually to students studying computer science and related majors. Open March 3-April 28, 2023.
  • Leave No Veteran Behind Retroactive Scholarship 
    The Leave No Veteran Behind Retroactive Scholarship is given after higher education has been completed and student loans have been made because the Veteran was not covered under existing educational programs. In return, all awardees commit to 100-400 hours of community service that leverages their military skills, civilian education, and lack of indebtedness to help solve the most pressing issues facing their communities.
  • National Guard Association of Michigan Tuition Grants 
    The National Guard Association of Michigan offers scholarships to National Guard members who wish to take classes at a trade school or university. Applications are reviewed twice a year, in June and November.
  • RTX Patriot Scholarship 
    The RTX Scholarship is offered exclusively to U.S. Army veterans, and is named after Raytheon Technologies Patriot Air and Missile Defense System.
  • RTX SPY-6 Scholarship 
    The RTX SPY-6 Scholarship, named for the U.S. Navy’s SPY-6 Family of Radars, provides returning sailors an opportunity to achieve educational goals and position themselves for success in civilian professions.
  • VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship
    The VFW's Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship provides service members and veterans with the financial assistance they need to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive student loan debt. Applications are open twice a year for the fall and spring semesters. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are retired, honorably discharged, active duty, or a member of the National Guard or Reserve; have completed Basic Training and follow-on training (Advanced Individual Training, technical school, etc.); separated with or currently hold a military rank of E-5 or below; demonstrate a need for financial assistance and participate in, be accepted to or currently enrolled in a VA-approved program or school at an accredited post-secondary institution. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website.
Scholarships and Grants for Spouses and Dependents
  • Air Force Sergeants Association Scholarship and Grant Programs
    The Air Force Sergeants Association and the Airmen Memorial Foundation conduct a scholarship program to financially assist the undergraduate studies of eligible, dependent children of the enlisted members of the Air Force. Three scholarships and one grant are available. Check each program for eligibility requirements.
  • American Legion Department of Michigan Scholarships
    The American Legion of Michigan offers two scholarships for $500 for Michigan residents only. The American Legion also offers additional scholarships from $800 to $23,000.
  • Anchor Scholarship Foundation
    The Anchor Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to eligible family members of active duty, retired, or honorably discharged Surface Navy personnel.
  • Army Emergency Relief Scholarships for Spouses and Dependent Children
    Army Emergency Relief provides two scholarship programs for dependent children and spouses. Both scholarships provide financial assistance for students who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Scholarship award amounts vary each year.
  • Army Scholarship Foundation
    The Army Scholarship Foundation awards several one-year financial scholarships to qualified and deserving undergraduate students that are dependents or spouses of soldiers and honorably discharged Army veterans. The amount of award ranges from $500 to $2000.
  • Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation
    The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation, through the unique intersection of baseball and the US Navy, recognizes and honors those who support our nation’s service and uses the Bob Feller story to educate the youth of today on the lessons of citizenship, service to country and sacrifice in times of great national need.  Students with a parent currently serving in the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserves Component and currently enrolled full time in a nationally or regionally accredited college, university or technical/ vocational school are eligible.
  • Corvias Foundation Scholarship for Spouses of Active-duty Service Members
    Corvias Foundation strives to support the educational goals of the spouses of our active-duty service members. Eligible applicants must plan to attend an accredited community, technical, or four-year college, university, or online program (for profit and proprietary schools upon review) as an undergraduate or graduate student. Candidates must reside at specific installations (see website for more details).
  • Dolphin Scholarship Foundation
    The Dolphin Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to unmarried children and stepchildren of members and retirees of the submarine force. Check their website for additional eligibility criteria.
  • Fisher House Foundation Scholarship for Military Children
    Five hundred scholarship grants, each for $2,000, will be awarded for the academic school year. There is at least one recipient selected at every commissary location where qualified applications are received. Additional recipients are chosen on a prorated basis. Therefore, more applicants may be selected from those commissaries with more significant numbers of applicants.
  • General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program
    The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program is competitive in its need-based selection criteria, uniquely tailored to recognize the proper weighing of family income and education cost factors. The amount awarded is dependent on each student’s particular level of need, with the highest levels of assistance going to the students who show the greatest need. Grants ranging from $500 to $4,000 are awarded to selected children and spouses of Air Force members and surviving spouses of deceased personnel for their full-time undergraduate studies.
  • Lt Col Romeo and Josephine Bass Ferretti Scholarship
    This scholarship is made possible by a bequest from the estate of Lt. Col. Romeo and Josephine Bass Ferretti and was established for minor dependents of Air Force active duty, Reserve, or Air National Guard enlisted airmen pursuing an undergraduate degree in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields. The recipients will be selected based upon high academic standards, good character, and financial need.
  • Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
    The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the nation’s oldest and largest need-based scholarship organization supporting military families.
  • Military Officers Association of America Grants, Scholarships and Loans
    MOAA offers various scholarships and grants, including no-interest loans, to children of military service members. Be sure to check the eligibility of each award since some are reserved for children of service members who have died or were permanently disabled as a result of their military service.
  • National Military Family Association Scholarships
    The National Military Family Association Scholarships provide scholarships to military spouses, as well as resources for certifications and licenses and other educational needs such as GED, ESL, etc.
  • Navy League Foundation’s Scholarship Programs
    Provides financial assistance to dependents and direct descendants of Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard service members.
  • Veterans United Foundation Scholarship
    The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship is fully funded by contributions made by Veterans United Home Loans and its employees. The Veterans United Foundation created the scholarship to help service members’ families combat the increasing costs of higher education. Since the scholarship’s inception in 2012, the Veterans United Foundation has awarded $200,000 in scholarships to 65 students across this great country, studying a wide assortment of degrees.
  • Wings Over America
    Wings Over America provides scholarships to dependent children and spouses of members of the Navy Aviation community pursuing their first undergraduate degree.
Scholarships and Grants for Surviving Spouses and Descendants
  • Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation
    Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation provides college scholarships and educational counseling to the children of military personnel who have died in the line of duty. Visit their website for additional information.
  • Folded Flag Foundation Scholarship
    Folded Flag is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization focused on raising and awarding money in the form of educational scholarships to surviving family members of military and government employees who have lost their lives in combat while serving our country. The scholarship opportunities offered by The Folded Flag Foundation include children’s education scholarships for private school tuition and educational programs and for children in grades K-12 and scholarships for spouses and dependents to attend college or technical/trade school.
  • Folds of Honor Scholarships
    Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to the children and spouses of those killed in service to our nation. Review the criteria listed on the website for additional eligibility criteria.
  • Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
    Offers scholarships to children of those who suffered a 100% disability or who were killed during their time in the armed forces.
  • Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship
    The “Heroes’ Legacy Scholarships” is open to dependent unmarried children under age 23 of those who have fallen in battle or become disabled through their active military service since Sept. 11, 2001. For this scholarship, a disability is defined as one that results in the service member being eligible for, and receiving, Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) or a permanent and total disability compensation rating of 100%.
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
    The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant provides grant money to children of service members killed in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001. To be eligible, applicants must be under 24 years old and be ineligible for the Pell Grant due to the applicant’s Student Aid Index.
  • Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
    The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001.
  • Matthews And Swift Educational Trust Scholarship
    The Francis P. Matthews and John E. Swift Educational Trust Scholarships are available to children of members in good standing who are killed or permanently disabled, by hostile action, while serving in the U.S. armed forces in a combat zone designated as such by the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors; as well as the children of full time firefighters and law enforcement officers, who while in the lawful performance of their duties, died as a result of criminal violence directed at them. Students must be entering their freshman year of a four-year, undergraduate program leading to a bachelor's degree at a Catholic college or Catholic university in the U.S. and apply prior to their 26th birthday. Benefits for which eligible children qualify shall be limited to tuition only, up to a maximum of $25,000 per year, but not room, board, books, fees, transportation, dues, computers, or supplies. Benefits should be applied for on a timely basis, for a four-year undergraduate degree.
  • Michigan Children of Veterans Tuition Grant
    Public Act 248 of 2005 (Michigan Compiled Law 390.1341-1346) provides an annual undergraduate tuition grant of up to $2,800 for the eligible children of certain deceased military personnel or totally and permanently disabled veterans.
  • Special Operations Warrior Foundation
    Special Operations Warrior Foundation ensures full financial assistance for post-secondary scholarships for every child who loses a parent serving in Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps special operations. The foundation provides for, or identifies funding for, the full cost of public college education, including tuition, fees, room & board, books, tutoring, computer, printers, and supplies.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.