Scholarships for Veterans

Scholarships and other financial aid benefits for Veterans, National Guard, Reserves, Active Military, and military family members. This list is an overview of some available scholarship opportunities and provided as a service. It is not a comprehensive list of all benefits. While efforts are made to keep information current, some information may be out of date. Please verify information with the corresponding office or entity offering the scholarship. Listing does not imply endorsement. 

State and Federal Benefits

New York State Benefits

Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute MERIT Scholarship

  • Provided through New York State Higher Education Services (HESC)
  • Provides financial aid to children, spouses, and dependents of members of the United States Armed Forces or State organized militia who, at any time on or after August 2, 1990, while a New York State resident, died or became severely and permanently disabled while engaged in hostilities or training for hostilities, or are classified as missing in action.
  • For further information, visit: NYS Higher Education Services Corporation – Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute – MERIT Scholarship.
  • This scholarship is processed through SUNY Schenectady’s Financial Aid Office (Elston Hall, Welcome Center.)

Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP)

  • For members of the State Military Forces (New York Army National Guard, New York Air National Guard, and New York Naval Militia.)
  • Pays the cost of tuition up to SUNY tuition rates.
  • Must be accepted and enrolled in an undergraduate degree granting program for a minimum of six (6) credit hours per semester or four (4) credit hours per quarter.
  • Must be a resident of New York State for a period of 186 days prior to using the program, excluding Active Duty periods.
  • RIRP information

Veterans Tuition Award (VTA)

  • A New York State program for Veterans engaging in full-time or part-time study.
  • Awards are processed through SUNY Schenectady’s Financial Aid Office (Elston Hall, Welcome Center.)
  • VTA application information 

Federal Benefits

GI Bill®

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

  • Provides Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits to children and surviving spouses of Service Members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.
  • May receive up to 36 months of benefits.
  • Fry Scholarship Details

The SpouseWorks Scholarship (formerly MyCAA)

  • A Department of War Scholarship offering up to $4,000 tuition assistance.
  • Open to spouses of active-duty service members and spouses of National Guard and reserve members on Title 10 orders in pay grades: E-1 through E-9, W-1  through W-3, or 0-1 through O-3.
  • Provides the tuition assistance for those pursuing licenses, certification, or Associate degrees or for continuing education courses to maintain a license or certification necessary for employment.
  • SpouseWorks Information

Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program

  • Is a way for the military services to provide educational benefits to Service Members on Active Duty.
  • Students must be approved for Federal Tuition Assistance (TA) by a military department and be eligible for Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty or Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits.
  • Students are limited to 36 months of Tuition Assistance TOP-UP.
  • Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program information 

Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Benefits

  • A program implemented in Chapter 31 of Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations (i.e., Chapter 31 benefits)
  • Provides for the training and rehabilitation of Veterans with service-connected disabilities.
  • Must have a service-related disability; the general requirement is (a) VA rating of 20% disabled or (b) participation in the integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) process or awaiting discharge due to a medical condition from a serious injury or illness that occurred in the line of duty. Severely injured active-duty service members can  automatically receive VR &E benefits before VA issues a disability rating.
  • VA pays training costs, tuition and fees, books, supplies, equipment, special services as well as a monthly “subsistence allowance.”
  • VR&E Information 
  • Chapter 31 Benefits are processed through the College Certifying Official, Bryan Florkiewicz, florkibr@sunysccc.edu, 518-381-1271, Elston Hall, Room 212

SUNY Schenectady Foundation Scholarships

McCormick Family Scholarship for Marines

  • Awarded to one full-time or part-time returning student taking at least 6 credit hours, matriculated in any degree or certificate program.
  • Preference given to an Active Duty Marine, Active Reserve Marine, or a Marine Corps Veteran.
  • If there are no eligible candidates, consideration is given to children or spouse of Active Duty Marine, Active Reserve Marine, or Marine Corps Veteran.
  • Fall semester recipient may be eligible for a Spring award as long as Scholarship criteria continue to be met and the student has a 2.5 GPA. If the student is no longer eligible, a new recipient will be chosen for the Spring disbursement.
  • Awarded $1,250 per semester; awarded $2,500 per year.

Michael J. Della Rocco Jr. and James Wilson Scholarship

  • Awarded to a full-time or part-time returning student in Criminal Justice.
  • Recipient must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must have financial need.
  • Eligible applicants: Veteran, National Guard member, member of a Reserve unit, current member of the Armed Forces, firefighter, police officer, child of a firefighter, child of a police officer.
  • Preference given to Schenectady County residents.
  • Awarded $900 per year (award disbursed Fall semester.)

Michael J. Della Rocco, Sr. Memorial Scholarship

  • Awarded to a returning full-time or part-time student in the Criminal Justice degree program.
  • Recipient must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, must have financial need, and must demonstrate community service and/or service to the College.
  • Preference given to Schenectady County residents who are children of Veterans, firefighters, or police officers.
  • Awarded $900 per year (award disbursed Fall semester)

Tri County Vietnam Era Veterans and Gold Star Mothers Scholarship

  • Awarded to a new or returning student enrolled in a degree or certificate program on a full-time or part-time basis.
  • Must be a Veteran of the US Armed Services or a dependent child of a Veteran.
  • Recipient must be in good academic standing as defined by the College.
  • Preference given to a candidate with demonstrated financial need.
  • Maximum award is $1,500 with amount to be determined by number of recipients (award is disbursed Fall semester;) awarded to only one student $750 per semester, $1500 for the year.

Additional information about the SUNY Schenectady Foundation Scholarships, including application dates and deadlines.

Additional Scholarships

Air Force Association (AFA) Scholarships

  • AFA sponsors several different scholarships, some supporting specific areas of student (e.g., pilot training, health/wellness, science, technology, engineering, math) while other scholarships are more open ended.
  • Applications are accepted between December 1 and April 30 each year.
  • Selections are announced in July.
  • Information about AFA scholarships.

AMVETS’ (American Veterans) National and Memorial Scholarships

  • AMVETS offers scholarships/grants to our nation’s Veterans, Active Duty, Guard and Reserves; their Spouses as well as their Children and Grandchildren.
  • ​More information on AMVETS scholarships

Army Emergency Relief (AER) Scholarships

Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program

  • Awarded to spouses of active duty or retired Soldiers, and widows(ers) of Soldiers who died either on active duty or in a retired status, as well as spouse of National Guard/Reserve Soldiers on Title 10 Orders.
  • Students must be a dependent spouse and registered as the spouse of the Solider in DEERS (Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System.)
  • Financial assistance is for a student’s first undergraduate degree.
  • Awarded for up to four academic years for full-time students. Students must reapply each year.
  • Recipients of the award must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • Shinseki Scholarship Information

MG James Ursano Scholarship Program

  • Awarded to dependents of Soldiers on Federal active duty, retired Soldiers, or a deceased active or deceased retired Soldiers, Children of National Guard/Reserve Soldiers are eligible if the Soldier is on Title 10 Orders for the entire academic year.
  • Student must be registered as a dependent of the Soldier in DEERS (Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System.)
  • Student must be under the age of 24 and unmarried.
  • Student must be enrolled, accepted, or pending acceptance as a full-time student in a post-secondary or vocational institution.
  • Student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • Award amounts determined by total budget allotted, the number of applications received, and financial need.
  • Ursano Scholarship Details

Army Women Foundation (AWF) Scholarships

AWF provides scholarships to women who served or are serving honorably in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard and the children of such women. Learn more about AWF scholarships.

Dolphin Scholarship Foundation (DSF)

Dolphin Scholarship Foundation grants are available, on a competitive basis, to high school or college children/stepchildren and spouses of members or former members of the submarine force or those who have served in submarine support activities. Learn more about DSF scholarships.

Folds of Honor Higher Education Scholarship

Provides educational scholarships to spouses and dependent children of military service members and first responders who died or became disabled while on Active Duty. Visit Folds of Honor to learn more. 

Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund

  • The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund is for the children of military personnel who have been killed or have been deemed 100% totally and permanently disabled from a combat mission or training accident.
  • Currently in the spring semester of their senior year of high school, a high school graduate, or currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate, vocational, or trade school student (having previously graduated high school).
  • For first degree programs only.
  • Students who have completed college coursework must have a 2.0 GPA or higher.
  • Applicant must be under the age of 26 at the time of application.
  • Learn more about the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund.

General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant (Hap Arnold Grant) 

  • Provides educational scholarships to dependent children (under 24 years of age) and spouses of U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force members.
  • Must be full-time students, enrolled or accepted in an accredited college, university, or vocational/trade school.
  • Minimum of 2.0 GPA
  • General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Information

Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship

  • Open to dependent, unmarried children under the age of 23, of service members who have died or become disabled during active military service since 9/11.
  • Can be used for tuition, fees, lab fees, and books. Other degree-related costs that are purchased from, and paid directly, to the school are allowed.
  • Heroes' Legacy Scholarship Information

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

  • All applicants must be the child or stepchild of a Marine or a Navy Corpsman, Chaplain or Religious Programs specialist attached to a Marine unit, have a cumulative GPA of 2.00, and have an adjusted gross income at or below the financial eligibility threshold determined by the Foundation on an annual basis.
  • Awards are available for associate and bachelor degrees, as well as non-degree certificate/technical education programs.
  • Learn more about the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.

Military Spouse Scholarship

  • Sponsored by the National Military Family Association.
  • For spouses of all eight Uniformed Services.
  • Awards are between $500 and $5,000. Application is rolling.
  • Funds may be used for tuition, course or lab fees, program costs, program fees or exam costs/fees. In addition to college courses towards any level degree or certificate, scholarship funds may be used for professional expenses such as licensure/certification (or renewal), CEU’s, professional examinations and other related expenses such as fingerprinting and background check fees, or clinical supervision of mental health license hours.
  • Funding can be used for military spouse-owned business needs including, but not limited to: inventory and merchandise, business marketing, branding, manufacturing, supplies,  permits, additional supplies.
  • Military Spouse Scholarship details.

National Guard Educational Foundation Scholarships

Offers the USAA Guardian Scholarship for children of National Guard members who have been lost in service since 9/11.

Offers the Van Hipp Heroes Scholarship Fund for current or former National Guard members wounded in an operational or training mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.

Student Veterans of America (SVA) Scholarships

  • SVA partners with other groups to offer scholarships to Veterans in discipline-specific areas including mental health counseling, engineering, operations and logistics, manufacturing, and related fields.
  • Awards are $10,000
  • Learn more about the SVA Scholarships

Tillman Scholarship

  • Highly selective. Up to 60 awards each year covering tuition, books, and living expenses.
  • Applicants must be a current service member, veteran, military spouse of active duty or veteran, or surviving spouse of military service members.
  • Open to applicants pursuing a bachelors, masters, or professional degree.
  • Tillman Scholarship Information

Veterans United Foundation Scholarship

  • Must be a Veteran with a 100% service connected disability, or a surviving spouse or surviving child of a service Member who had a service-related death.
  • Must be pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, graduate, postgraduate, or doctoral degree.
  • Learn more about the Veterans United Foundation Scholarship

VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship”

  • Be retired, honorably discharged, active duty, or a member of the National Guard or Reserve.
  • Have completed Basic Training and follow-on training (Advanced Individual Training, technical school, etc.).
  • Separated with or currently hold a military rank of E-5 or below.
  • Award amounts are up to $5,000; one per family per semester.
  • Learn more about the "Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship"

Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation Scholarships

  • Sponsors over 50 scholarships.
  • Each award is $5,000 and some are renewable.
  • Awarded to children and spouses of navy personnel from the aviation community; Officer and Enlisted, active duty, retired, honorable discharge or deceased.
  • Can be used for tuition and mandatory fees for trade and technical certification, community college, or four year colleges and universities.
  • Learn more about Wings Over America Scholarships