4 Lesser-Known Scholarships to Supplement Your GI Bill

When you're headed back to school, figuring out exactly how to pay for it all can be stressful. Servicemembers can make their GI Bill benefits stretch further by supplementing them with scholarships. Keep in mind, however, that many popular scholarships can be hard to get, but if you do your research you'll find there are many scholarships available to members of the military. For example, a couple of the lesser-known scholarships for members of the military are:

• AFCEA Educational Fund. The Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA) offers a $2,500 scholarship that can be used to supplement either the Montgomery or Post-9/11 GI Bill. For active duty, Selected Reservists and honorably discharged veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraqi wars enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited school.
• Heroes At Home Women Veterans' Scholarships. Through this scholarship, The Royal Neighbors of America Insurance Company supports women veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and the Reserves. Four scholarships of up to $2,500 each are awarded annually.
• VA MortgageCenter.com Scholarship. The VA Mortgage Center offers five $1,500 scholarships twice a year to children of U.S. Armed Forces servicemembers or the servicemembers themselves. Scholarships are awarded in May and November, with winners being evaluated on their essays about their military experiences and how they plan to use the money.
• ThanksUSA. Open to dependent children and spouses of active duty personnel, ThanksUSA offers 500 $3,000 scholarships. Recipients are selected based on financial need, academic record, demonstrated leadership abilities, participation in school and community activities, as well as a written goal statement. Enrollment opens each spring and closes once 10,000 applications are received.

You may be able to supplement your GI Bill benefits by applying for the above--or similar--scholarships. Do you homework; and you may find out more about the resources that are available to you.

Share This

Email