The Nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military children.

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Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

  • Child or step-child of one of the following:
    • Active duty, Reserve, or veteran* U.S. Marine
    • A Marine killed while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps
    • Active duty, reserve, or veteran U.S. Navy Corpsman, Navy Chaplain or Religious Program Specialist who is or was attached to a U.S. Marine Corps unit or who was killed while serving with a U.S. Marine Corps unit*
  • Minimum 2.00 GPA
  • Demonstrate financial need through a family adjusted gross income of $123,000 or less for the 2023 tax year
  • Attending or planning to attend an accredited school that is eligible for federal funding
  • Submit a completed application with all required documents by the deadline

* Veterans must have received an honorable discharge.

Disqualifications:

  • Military parent or applicant veteran does not have an honorable discharge
  • Applicant already has an undergraduate degree
  • Applicant and/or awarded scholar is attending a Federal Service Academy
  • Applicant and/or awarded scholar is attending a school not listed on College Navigator or one that is not eligible for federal funding
  • Applicants whose military stepparent is no longer married to their biological parent
  • Applicants who will not have a high school diploma by August 1, 2025
    • Note: We are unable to support dual enrollment or early access programs

Children of the Fallen

The Scholarship Foundation guarantees scholarships of $30,000 over four years ($7,500 per year) to eligible children of the following:

  • Children of Marines and veteran Marines whose parent was killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
  • Children of Marines or Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit who were killed in combat operations or during a Department of Defense operation, training exercise, or domestic terrorist incident on or after September 11, 2001
  • Children of Marines, Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit whose parent died by suicide as a result of combat related Post-Traumatic Stress.

Pre-register your family to receive Heroes Tribute Fallen program updates and application reminders.

Note, Children of the Fallen applicants must meet the above eligibility criteria, but income eligibility is waived.

Children of the Wounded

The Scholarship Foundation provides scholarship support of up to $40,000 over four years ($2,500 – $10,000 per year) to eligible children of the following:

  • Children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit who were wounded in action in any war or conflict.
  • Children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit who were permanently retired from the Marine Corps or Navy as a result of their service related injury.
  • Children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit whose parent is currently ill or injured and serving with Wounded Warrior Regiment/Battalion.

Pre-register your family to receive Heroes Tribute Wounded program updates and application reminders.

Note, Children of the Wounded applicants must meet the above eligibility criteria, including financial eligibility.

Grandchildren

Grandchildren applicants must provide documentation of their grandparent’s membership in one of the associations below and meet the Scholarship Foundation’s eligibility criteria as listed above. This includes financial eligibility and there are no exceptions. These programs receive limited funding and not all who apply will receive a scholarship award.

  • 531 Gray Ghost Squadron Association
  • Marines’ Memorial Association
  • USMC/Combat Helicopter Association

Proof of membership can include: membership card, roster list, letter from the association indicating membership.

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1962

We’ve been honoring the service and sacrifice of Marine families for nearly 60 years.

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If You Can, You Must Scholarship Initiative

More than 14 years ago, Dakota Meyer, a U.S. Marine serving in the War in Afghanistan, risked his life to bravely save the lives of U.S. and Afghan forces in the Battle of Ganjgal. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the first living Marine in more than forty years to receive the award. Since leaving active duty, Dakota has embraced opportunities for continued service. Through his partnership with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, the “If You Can, You Must” Scholarship will provide educational scholarships to the children of Marines and inspire the future leaders of America.

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