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15 Financial Aid Options for Military Dependents: Scholarships for Children of Disabled Veterans

Updated: Mar 18

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Last Updated: March 2025 | Helping military families navigate their financial education journey


Military families make tremendous sacrifices for our country. If you're the dependent of a disabled military veteran pursuing higher education, numerous scholarship opportunities can significantly reduce your financial burden. As financial literacy experts, we've compiled this comprehensive guide to help military families navigate these valuable resources and make smart decisions about funding their education.


Top Scholarships for Military Dependents in 2025


  1. Heroes Legacy Scholarship (Fisher House Foundation)


Award Amount: Varies


Eligibility: Unmarried dependent children (under 23) of service members who died or became disabled through active military service since September 11, 2001


Financial Impact: Helps cover tuition costs at accredited universities, reducing student loan debt.


  1. Scholarship for Military Children (Fisher House Foundation)


Award Amount: $2,000 annually


Eligibility: Unmarried military dependent children under 23 with valid Uniformed Services ID card.


Application Tip: Scholarships are distributed based on commissary locations worldwide—check your local commissary for specifics.


Award Amount: Full undergraduate tuition coverage


Eligibility: Dependents of veterans who were Florida residents for 12 months before disability determination.


Budget Impact: Can save qualifying students $20,000-$40,000 in total education costs.



Award Amount: Varies based on need


Eligibility: Children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active duty or have a combined VA disability rating of 50% or greater.


Coverage: Comprehensive financial support, including tuition, fees, books, meal plans, and housing.



Award Amount: Up to $2,000 per year


Eligibility: Children (18+) of PVA members paralyzed in the line of duty; must be enrolled full-time in accredited institutions.


Financial Planning Note: Consider combining with other scholarships to maximize aid.



Award Amount: Varies


Eligibility: Purple Heart recipients and their spouses, children, and grandchildren enrolled full-time with a minimum 2.75 GPA.


Application Requirement: Must be accepted into a full-time accredited institution.


Award Amount: Up to $2,500 (full-time), $750 (part-time)


Eligibility: Children of DAV members disabled in the line of duty.


Unique Requirement: Applicants must document their service to disabled veterans/families during the past two years.



Award Amount: Need-based


Eligibility: Children and grandchildren of U.S. Marine Corps or U.S. Navy personnel.


Financial Need Threshold: Available for families with adjusted gross income less than $112,000 annually.



Award Amount: Up to $46,000 per year


Eligibility: High school seniors with a disabled military veteran parent/guardian pursuing STEM education.


Career Benefit: Includes guaranteed civilian position with the Department of Defense upon graduation.



Award Amount: Varies


Eligibility: Army children pursuing undergraduate degrees.


Duration: Provides financial assistance for up to four years.



Award Amount: $5,000


Eligibility: Qualifying spouses and children of fallen or disabled U.S. service members.


Disbursement Method: Funds are sent directly to educational institutions for approved expenses.


Planning Note: Annual reapplication is required.



Award Amount: Up to $7,000 per school year


Eligibility: Students whose military parent died during active military service.


Additional Benefit: Those receiving Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance payments may also apply.



Award Amount: Up to $4,000 (disbursed over 4 years)


Eligibility: Veterans, active duty, spouses, children, and grandchildren of military service members.


JROTC Bonus: An additional $1,000 scholarship is available for former JROTC students.


  1. Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer Option


Award Amount: Varies based on service length and location


Eligibility: Dependents of veterans who transfer their unused benefits.


Important Deadline: Transfer requests must be completed while the veteran is still an active member of the Armed Forces. Once the DOD approves the transfer of benefits, the new beneficiaries can apply for tuition assistance through the VA.



Value: Compilation of additional scholarship opportunities


Financial Strategy: Check their comprehensive resource list for supplementary funding options.

Smart Financial Planning for Military Families


When preparing for college expenses, military families should:


  1. Start early: Research scholarship opportunities at least 12-18 months before college enrollment.

  2. Track deadlines: Create a calendar specifically for scholarship application deadlines.

  3. Prepare documentation: Maintain organized records of your veteran parent's service and disability documentation.

  4. Combine resources: Strategically apply for multiple scholarships that can be used together.

  5. Consider tax implications: Understand how scholarship funds may affect your family's tax situation.


Next Steps to Secure Your Educational Future


Don't wait until the last minute to explore these financial resources. Planning ensures you'll have access to the maximum funding available for your education. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of securing these competitive scholarships.


Ready to create a comprehensive financial plan for your education? Schedule a free consultation to navigate these opportunities and develop a personalized strategy for your academic and financial success.


Have you successfully used any of these scholarships? Share your experience in the comments to help other military families!


 

The information provided is accurate as of March 2025 but is subject to change. Always verify current requirements and award amounts directly with scholarship providers.




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