College Scholarships for Military Dependents?

Hey guys, I've heard that as a dependent of a military veteran, I might qualify for some scholarships for college. Can someone share experiences or resources about this? Like how do I look for these scholarships, and what's the application process like? Any advice would be appreciated!

Absolutely, as a military dependent, you indeed have unique scholarship opportunities available to you.

First off, you should look into the scholarship options provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers education and training opportunities to the children of veterans who have been severely disabled, have died while on duty, or who were veterans with service-connected disabilities who died from any cause.

One popular scholarship under the DEA program is the Fry Scholarship which provides up to 36 months of benefits for the children of service members who died in the line of duty after Sept. 11, 2001.

Also, the Veterans United Foundation Scholarship is a great opportunity. This foundation provides finances to eligible university or college students who are former military veterans or active duty, currently serving or retired military personnel, or a family member of a current service member or veteran (dependent child or spouse).

Another widely-recognized scholarship is the Scholarships for Military Children Program, funded by the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA). Each year, at least one $2000 scholarship is awarded at every commissary location where qualified applications are received.

The application process varies for each scholarship. In most cases, you'll be required to submit an application form, along with other documentation such as your transcript, recommendation letters, or essays. The exact requirements and deadlines will be listed on the individual scholarship's website; it's important to keep track of these for each scholarship you apply to.

Remember that application processes can also be competitive. Make sure to have a strong application by maintaining solid academic performance, demonstrating leadership skills and community involvement.

Finally, don't forget about other local or institutional scholarships. Your college’s financial aid office or your local military officer associations may have other scholarships available to you.

Finding scholarships involves a bit of research, but with patience and organization, you can find several opportunities to help fund your college education. Good luck!