8 College Scholarships for Army Soldiers and Their Families

With the cost of college at a historic high, incoming students should look for every possible opportunity to save money. Luckily, there are many scholarship opportunities that exist for Army members, their children, and their spouses.

Here are 8 college scholarships for Soldiers and their families:

1. Army Emergency Relief (AER) Scholarships

Army Emergency Relief’s mission is to provide grants, interest-free loans, and scholarships to promote readiness and help relieve financial distress of Soldiers and their families. Since 1942, they’ve assisted four million Soldiers through $2 billion of assistance, including $137 million in scholarships to Army spouses and children.

Some scholarships available include:

• Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program
• Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program for Army Children
• Pentagon Victims Scholarship Program

Who Is Eligible?

Spouses and children of Soldiers in the following statuses are eligible to apply for AER’s scholarship programs:

• Active Duty
• Deceased Active
• Retired
• Deceased Retired
• Medically Retired
• Grey Area Retiree
• Active Guard Reserve and United States Army Reserve on Title 10 Orders (for the entire academic year for which they are applying)

2. Army Scholarship Foundation

Founded in 2001, the Army Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing college scholarships for undergraduate study to deserving children of current and former members of the U.S. Army, and to spouses of currently serving Soldiers.

Who Is Eligible?

• Sons or daughters of regular active-duty, active-duty Reserve, or active-duty National Guard U.S. Army members in good standing; OR
• Spouses of serving enlisted regular active duty, active duty Reserve, or active duty National Guard U.S. Army members in good standing; OR
• Sons or daughters of former U.S. Army members who received an honorable discharge or medical discharge, or who were killed while serving in the U.S. Army.

3. Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Scholarships

The Association of the United States Army awards more than 40 national level scholarships on an Annual Basis, ranging from $2,000-48,000. As an association partner of AUSA, AAFMAA Membership now includes AUSA Membership, making our Members eligible for benefits such as AUSA scholarships. (Expires July 1st, 2025)

Who Is Eligible?

• AUSA Premium Members, Association Members, and their dependents (to include children, spouses, and grandchildren)

4. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships

The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps offers a variety of scholarships that are awarded based on merit and not financial need. Each year, the Army ROTC awards scholarships to more than 13,000 students and provides roughly $274 million in scholarship money.

Who Is Eligible?

• U.S. citizens
• At least 17, and under 31 in year of commissioning
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have a high school GPA of at least 2.50, unweighted, if you're in high school while applying
• Have taken the SAT or ACT
• Take the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
• Meet the physical height and weight requirements
• Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard

5. Army Women’s Foundation (AWF) Scholarships

Army Women’s Foundation’s scholarship program provides grants to women soldiers, past and present, and their lineal descendants to help them attain their educational goals. The AWF Legacy Scholarship Program offers financial support ranging from $1,000-3,000 in four areas: Certificate Programs, Community College coursework, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees.

Some scholarships available include:

• Six Triple Eight Legacy Scholarship
• AWF-Trident University International Scholarships
• AWF Legacy Scholarship

Who Is Eligible?

• Women who have served or are serving honorably in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard; OR
• Lineal descendants of a woman who have served or are serving honorably in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

6. National Ranger Memorial Foundation Scholarship Fund

The National Ranger Memorial Foundation, Inc. serves U.S. Army Rangers of all eras through recognition in a granite monument, display of Hall of Fame members, scholarships to deserving individuals, and assisting Ranger Families.

Who Is Eligible?

• Current and former Rangers, their children, and their grandchildren

7. Society of the Daughters of the United States Army (DUSA) Scholarships

Army Daughters makes one year, renewable $1,500 awards in the form of merit scholarships designed for daughters and granddaughters of Army Officers.

Who Is Eligible?

• Daughters, granddaughters, stepdaughters or adopted daughters of a career commissioned or warrant officer in the United States Army who is on Active Duty, retired after at least 20 years active-duty service, was medically retired from Active Duty or died while on Active Duty.

8. Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association Scholarship

The Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association Scholarship is offered by the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), a non-profit organization that provides support and services to make life more comfortable for people serving their country. Every year, two winners receive a $1,500 scholarship to help pay for their desired degree.

Who Is Eligible?

• Children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of Army women