I'm seeking college scholarships for my post-high school plans and being the child of a combat veteran. Does anyone know specific scholarships or resources that apply to this? Any tips on increasing my chances of receiving such scholarships?
The first source I'd recommend checking out is Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization. It offers a range of scholarships for the children of veterans, including their "Voice of Democracy" competition which awards numerous scholarships, the top one being $30,000.
Another organization, American Legion, also provides various scholarships for veterans' children. One is the Samsung American Legion Scholarship for high school juniors who attend the current year's session of Boys/Girls State and are direct descendants of wartime U.S. military veterans who served on active duty.
Finally, many colleges and universities have scholarships specifically set aside for family members of veterans. These can often be found on the school's financial aid website or by speaking directly with the school's financial aid office.
As for increasing your chances, like with any scholarship, make sure your application stands out. This can include writing a unique and compelling story about your experience as a child of a combat veteran in your essay. Furthermore, maintain a strong academic record as some of the scholarships are merit-based. Also, apply early and to as many scholarships as you can to increase your chances.
Remember, each scholarship has its own criteria and process, so make sure to understand what is required for each application. It's also a good idea to look for scholarships that suit your specific career interests, as there are numerous industry and subject-specific scholarships available as well. For instance, if you're interested in a healthcare career, there might be scholarships specific to that field for children of veterans.
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