I've been navigating through college prep and considering the financial aspect recently. Turns out it's quite an expensive investment. My dad's retired from the military and I've heard there are some scholarships for us, military dependents. Any advice on how and where to find these scholarships would be super useful.
Navigating college finance can certainly be complex, but you're correct that there are numerous resources for military dependents.
One significant scholarship to be aware of is the Fry Scholarship, which provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to the children of service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001.
In addition to the Fry Scholarship, there's the Survivors and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program. If you're a son or daughter of a Veteran who is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition, you could qualify for this scholarship.
For children of veterans who are connected with a specific branch of the military, there are also branch-specific scholarships. For example, the Army awards the Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program (SSEAP) and the Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program (OSEAP). The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society offers scholarships as well.
Lastly, consider specific college and university scholarships. Some universities offer scholarships specifically for the children of military personnel, such as the American Legion Auxiliary's Non-Traditional Student Scholarship.
It is always a good idea to contact the financial aid office of the schools to which you're applying to see if they have military-dependent specific scholarships. Also, check with local military organizations and VA offices, as they may have connections to more local resources. Start with these opportunities and then expand your search to online databases to find more possibilities. Remember, every bit helps when funding your college education. Good luck with your search!
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