Scholarship Programs and Enlistment Plan Rewards
College tuition cost was the highest priority identified by this year's Army Family Action Plan and a number of Army-affiliated organizations are now offering scholarships and loans to ease the financial burden of education. Most programs begin accepting applications during early November and set deadlines in February and March.
The most effective way for prospective college students to begin their search is by calling their school liaison officers, who are located at all Army installations, said Sonia Wriglesworth, an education specialist with the Army Community and Family Support Center in Child and Youth Services Directorate. Wriglesworth also suggested investigating the resources listed below.
Scholarships for Military Children Program
The Scholarships for Military Children Program is offered by the Defense Commissary Agency, partnered with the Fisher House Foundation. Scholarships are for $1500 and the program is open to dependent unmarried children (under the age of 23) of active duty personnel, Guard, Reserve, and retired military. A minimum of one $1500 scholarship will be awarded at every commissary location where qualified applications are received.
Eligibility will be determined using the DEERS database. Applicants should ensure they, as well as their sponsor, are currently enrolled in the DEERS database and have a current ID card.
Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and must be planning to attend, or already attending, an accredited college or university full-time in the upcoming fall term. Students attending a community or junior college must be enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program.
Applications and instructions for the program can be downloaded from http://www.militaryscholar.org/apply/application.shtml. They can also be obtained at any commissary. Applications must be returned by hand or mail to a commissary.
MOAA Scholarship Loan and Grant Programs
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), formerly The Retired Officers Association (TROA), sponsors several scholarship programs. Applications are available at http://www.moaa.org/education/.
There is one online application for all scholarships, grants, and interest-free loan programs. The online application opens in November and must be completed and submitted no later than noon EST March 2nd of the following year. Semifinalists are notified in March. Recipients are notified in May.
- Interest-Free Loan and Grant Program: Interest-free loans, MOAA's main program, are renewable annually for up to five years of full-time undergraduate study. Assistance is available only to students who have not yet earned an undergraduate degree. The interest-free loan and grant program provides $5,500 loans, which are renewable for up to five years of undergraduate study. Students selected as loan recipients and their their military parent must sign a promissory note before funds can be disbursed. Loans are disbursed in two increments: one-half by early August and one-half by mid-December.
- American Patriot Scholarship: Students (under age 24) who are children of an active-duty, reserve, or National Guard parent who died on active service are eligible to apply. Surviving spouse's membership in MOAA is required for consideration where applicable. Military academy cadets are not eligible for this program. The amount of this award is dependent upon donations but will be at least $2,500. Qualified students are selected on a basis of their scholastic ability, activities, and financial need. The number of scholarships also will be determined by the amount of the funds raised. Please note that semifinalists for this program will be notified on the Web site and by e-mails only.
- Designated Scholar Program:
Loan recipients are automatically considered for this grant. This program replaces the $5,500 interest free loan with a $5,000 interest free loan and a $500 grant. No special application is necessary.
- Senior Grants: Only current loan recipients entering their final year in college are eligible for these grants. Eligible students will be sent the necessary information at the appropriate time.
- General John Paul Ratay Educational Fund Grants: These $4,000 grants are limited to children of the surviving spouse of retired officers. A student cannot receive both a MOAA loan and a Ratay grant. Students applying for a loan who also meet the criteria of a Ratay grant automatically will be considered. No separate application is required.
Other Scholarship and Financial Aid Resources
- Need a Lift, a 152-page financial aid reference guide for veterans, veterans' dependents and members of The American Legion. The manual is available for $3.95 at the American Legion National Emblem, P.O. Box 1050, Indianapolis, IN 46206 or by calling 1-888-453-4466 for credit card orders. This reference guide is updated annually.
- Chapters of the Association of the United States Army, the Officers' Wives Club, and the Enlisted Wives Club.
- Private sector financial aid. Programs may be found by visiting Web sites, guidance offices, school liaison centers, and libraries.
