Starting college as the child of a fallen military service member brings unique challenges. You’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices made by your family, and now you face the added task of funding your education. Fortunately, scholarships offer financial support to military dependents like you, making higher education more accessible.
NeedyMeds is committed to connecting people to reliable resources for healthcare expenses. We list over 800 scholarships on our website that cover a variety of conditions, including the loss of a parent.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to apply for scholarships for children of fallen soldiers. We’ll walk you through eligibility requirements, necessary documents, and the application process. You’ll also get the rundown of six key scholarships for military families.
How Do I know If I’m Eligible?
Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific scholarship. Generally, applicants must be the child or spouse of a service member who:
- Died in the line of duty.
- Became 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury.
- Was a Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA).
Additional requirements may include:
- Age limits.
- Enrollment status (high school senior, undergraduate student).
- Academic performance.
Confirm the requirements with the program if you’re unsure about your eligibility.
How do I apply for these scholarships?
Each organization has its own application process. Generally, applicants will need to:
- Complete an application form, either online or by snail mail.
- Provide supporting documentation, such as:
- Proof of relationship to the service member.
- Death certificate or disability documentation.
- Academic transcripts.
- Financial aid information (FAFSA).
- Submit the application by the specified deadline.
6 Scholarships for Children of Fallen Soldiers
Several organizations offer scholarships specifically for children of military personnel who have died or become disabled in the line of duty.
1. Folds of Honor Scholarship
This organization provides scholarships to spouses and children of fallen or disabled service members. They offer 2 funds, including:
- The Children’s Fund: This is for the younger children of service members who are either disabled or deceased. It helps cover the costs of private school or tutoring.
- Higher Education Scholarship: This is for dependents and spouses of service members to attend a college, university, or technical/trade school.
It’s worth noting that the application window is between February and March of each year.
2. Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation Scholarship
This foundation provides college scholarships and educational counseling to children of military personnel who died in the line of duty.
The scholarship covers various undergraduate education expenses. They fund tuition, room and board, books, fees, living expenses — even a one-time computer stipend.
3. Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
This scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to children and surviving spouses of service members. This applies to those who have died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.
Besides tuition, the scholarship gives a monthly housing allowance, and a stipend for books and supplies to help with living and school costs.
4. The American Legion Legacy Scholarship
This scholarship is open to children of veterans who died on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. They also give funding to children of post-9/11 veterans with a VA disability rating of 50% or greater.
It’s a little different than the ones mentioned on this list, as scholarships are granted based on financial need. This means that the scholarship committee reviews financial information to decide how much assistance each applicant receives.
Applicants must submit things like FAFSA documents, any awards from federal or state veteran benefit programs, a financial aid package from their chosen school, and a breakdown of their education-related expenses.
Apart from tuition, the Legacy Scholarship covers books, housing, transportation, and more.
5. Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) Scholarship
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) Scholarship fully funds college education for children of deceased or 100% disabled special operations personnel.
It covers tuition, room and board, books, application fees, and campus visits.
SOWF scholarships are unique because students don’t need to apply; the organization identifies eligible students and guarantees their funding.
The scholarship can be used at various institutions, including four-year universities, community colleges, and vocational schools.
6. Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
This fund offers scholarships to children of military personnel killed or 100% disabled from combat missions or training accidents.
How much financial assistance can i receive?
The amount of financial assistance varies depending on the scholarship. Some scholarships cover the full cost of tuition, while others provide a fixed amount.
It’s important to check the website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date and detailed information about scholarship amounts. They may vary based on individual circumstances or program changes.
What’s a VA Disability Rating?
A VA disability rating is a percentage assigned by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This rating shows the severity of a veteran’s service-connected disability and determines monthly compensation amounts.
VA disability ratings also affect eligibility for scholarships for children of veterans. For example, the Folds of Honor program requires a 10% rating for the Higher Education Scholarship and 90% for the Children’s Fund. The American Legion Legacy Scholarship requires a combined rating of 50% or higher. The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund requires a 100% rating from a combat mission or training accident.
Scholarships often need documentation to verify disability status. The Folds of Honor application requires a VA Benefit Summary Letter and a DD214. The American Legion Legacy Scholarship requires official VA disability rating paperwork.
VA disability ratings range from 0% to 100% in 10% steps. Higher ratings indicate greater impact on a veteran’s daily life and work ability and provide higher monthly compensation. Veterans with multiple disabilities receive a combined rating.
Finding a scholarship is easy with needyMeds
NeedyMeds lists nearly 30 scholarships for military families, and about 10 for children of fallen soldiers. It’s easy to find them on our website in 4 easy steps.
- Go to the Scholarships section on our website and search by condition.
- Type in “Military” and select the situation that applies to you the most. For more general results, select “military-related”.
- Refine your search by residency under Additional Search Criteria, if applicable.
- Search Programs.
And that’s it. Head over to NeedyMeds and find the right scholarship to support your educational journey today!
