General military scholarships are offered to multiple categories of veterans, military, and dependents. Don't forget to review the other categories of scholarships you might be eligible for. 

Notice: Check application dates and windows on each scholarship's webpage as the closing dates and award amounts may change from year to year. Military dependents should also review scholarships for veterans as many scholarships are open to both veterans and dependents.

American Legion Auxiliary

Deadline: March 1

Amount: One time $2,000

Description: Getting a job or staying competitive in today’s workplace involves showing employers you have the skills and experience to get the job done. In many cases, returning to college is a must. The American Legion Auxiliary's goal is to do all we can to make that happen, and that’s what the Non-Traditional Student Scholarship is all about. This scholarship helps people who are part of The Legion Family pursue a college degree later in life or allow them to pick up where they left off when their studies were interrupted. 

Application Window: January 15- April 30  (Check website for official deadline schedule)

Amount:  $1,000 annually for four years for $4,000 total. As well as scholarships for $3,000 annually for $12,000 total

Description: 

AMVETS is proud to offer scholarships/grants to our nation’s Veterans, Active Duty, Guard and Reserves; their Spouses as well as their Children and Grandchildren.

AMVETS scholarships are designed to fulfill a financial gap after all Federal/State grants and/or scholarships available to an eligible applicant have been exhausted.

Pat Tillman Foundation

Application Opens: February 1 

Description: 

The Pat Tillman Foundation identifies remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses, empowering them with academic scholarships, lifelong leadership development opportunities and a diverse, global community of high-performing mentors and peers. Our scholars are making an impact as they lead through action in the fields of healthcare, business, public service, STEM, education and the humanities.

The Pat Tillman scholarship is available to:

  • Active duty service members
  • Veterans

Military spouses

Sacramento Region Community Foundation 

Deadline: March 15th

Award Amount: $1,000

Description: 

Sarah Bonnifield chose that the majority of her estate be left for the benefit of several veteran organizations and other nonprofit organizations including the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 500. The Sarah A. Bonnifield Vietnam Veterans Scholarship Fund was established by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 500 to honor Sarah Bonnifield in perpetuity by providing financial support in the form of a scholarship each year to a Vietnam Veteran or a dependent or relative of a Vietnam Veteran.

Eligibility Requirements§

  • Be a Vietnam Veteran or a dependent or relative of a Vietnam Veteran (relative may be a spouse, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, nephew or niece)
  • Be pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university
  • Provide a copy of the Veteran’s DD214 or submit proof of military service
  • Demonstrate financial need

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Application Window: Applications for the fall semester are accepted January 1-April 30; applications for the spring semester are accepted August 1-November 15

Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000

Description: 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. It’s just another way for us to say “thank you” to those who fought for our freedoms.   

Scholarship Details:

  • Scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded to qualified applicants.
  • Awarded scholarships are limited to one per family per semester.
  • Applications for the fall semester will be accepted Jan. 1 through April 30.
  • Applications for the spring semester will be accepted Aug. 1 through Nov. 15.
  • Fall semester scholarships will be awarded in August, and spring semester scholarships will be awarded in January.
  • Scholarships must be used by the end of the school semester for which the veteran is applying or they will become null and void.
  • Scholarships are restricted for tuition and fees only and will be paid directly to accredited schools.

Eligible Applicants Must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States.
  • Be 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.
  • Participate in, be accepted to or currently enrolled in a VA-approved program or school at an accredited post-secondary institution.

Veterans United Foundation

Application Periods: Spring: February 1-February 28; Fall: September 15- October 15

Description: The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship creates opportunities for family members of service members and Veterans to achieve their educational dreams. Launched in 2012, the scholarship program is funded by contributions from Veterans United Home Loans and its employees. Since our scholarship program was created, over $1 MILLION has been awarded to support the educational dreams of military families across the U.S.

Eligibility

To qualify for the scholarship program, you must meet one of the following conditions:

  • The applicant is a veteran with 100% service-connected disability
  • The applicant is a surviving spouse of a deceased servicemember from a service-related death
  • The applicant is a surviving child of a deceased servicemember from a service-related death

Harold & Muriel Berkman Charitable Foundation, Inc. 

Application Window: April 10-July 15

Amount: $1,000 one-time

Description: The Foundation was founded by Harold W. Berkman and his wife, Muriel, to pursue their longstanding dedication and commitment to higher education in the United States in preparing future business leaders and promoting the growth of knowledge into effective business and administration.

Scholarships are limited to U.S. Citizens who are matriculating in a university accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Given the particular interest in supporting the education of U.S. Veterans, the Foundation seeks to award scholarships to U.S. Veterans and especially seeks students holding a Combat Infantrymen’s Badge, suffered a serious injury due to combat action (such as a missing limb), received a Purple Heart, served or continue to serve with honor and distinction, or were honorably discharged from military service.