Graduate School Scholarships for Veterans

Paying for graduate school doesn’t have to be a challenge for veterans who want to build a rewarding civilian career. If you have already used all or a portion of your military benefits to pursue an undergraduate degree, there are still several other options for funding your education, such as scholarships, grants, and fellowships.

Below, is a list of eight graduate school scholarships for veterans that can help you finance furthering your education.

1. Patriot Scholar Program

Northeastern University created the Patriot Scholar Program to recognize veterans for their service and aid them in their professional development. The scholarship covers expenses such as tuition, books and supplies, housing, transportation, child care, and study abroad programs. Since the grant award isn’t fixed, applicants are required to specify the amount of funds they need.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for the Patriot Scholar Program, you must be a service member or an honorably discharged veteran who has been deployed in the past. On the application, you’ll need to explain how your military service helped you grow personally and provide examples of your leadership skills. The scholarship specifically celebrates veterans who gained “a unique global perspective” through their deployment experiences.

How To Apply

To apply, download the application and submit the completed form to [email protected].

2. Phi Gamma Pi Veterans Scholarship

Current and former service members who have used up other VA education benefits, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® and Yellow Ribbon Program, may qualify for the Phi Gamma Pi Veterans Scholarship at Northeastern. This grant can help you cover some of your remaining educational expenses to ease any financial burdens.

Who is eligible?

Active-duty servicemembers and veterans who were deployed to a combat zone are eligible for this scholarship. Children of veterans may also qualify if their parent is a service member who was wounded or killed in action. Additionally, children can apply if their parents received an honorable discharge, but don’t qualify for transferring benefits through VA programs.

How To Apply

To apply, contact the scholarship coordinators at [email protected] for more information.

3. Raytheon Patriot Scholarship

The Patriot Scholarship is a $10,000 grant for U.S. Army veterans who want to attend college. The Student Veterans of America and Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RMD) created the award to honor student veterans who have demonstrated leadership in their communities and a strong commitment to their field of study.

Who is eligible?

Army veterans who are in a graduate program at an accredited four-year college may qualify if they’re attending full-time at a U.S. institution. You must also be in good standing with the military and have an honorable discharge.

How To Apply

You can apply for the Patriot Scholarship online by submitting a recommendation letter, military service records (DD214 form), transcripts, and a completed application. Applicants have the option to submit their application in written form or as a short video.

4. Google SVA Scholarship

Every year, Google partners with Student Veterans of America (SVA) to offer $10,000 scholarships to military vets who are studying computer science. The program is designed to help vets prepare for civilian jobs in high-demand technical industries.

Who is eligible?

Qualifying applicants for the Google SVA scholarship must have plans to pursue a degree in computer engineering, computer science, or a related tech field. SVA provides an up-to-date list of related majors to help you understand your eligibility. The grant is open to veterans and active-duty service members who are in good academic and military standing and plan to enroll full-time.

How To Apply

Student veterans can apply for this scholarship by submitting college transcripts, a resumé, a military service record, and two recommendation letters. The application also includes essay questions about your personal experience in leadership roles, your interest in technical fields, and your reasons for pursuing financial assistance.

5. Raytheon Missiles & Defense SPY-6 Scholarship

The RMD SPY-6 grant for returning sailors is the second of Raytheon’s graduate scholarships for veterans. Through this program, U.S. Navy veterans can apply for $10,000 in funds to improve their education and career prospects. Similar to the Patriot Scholarship, applicants must explain how they demonstrate commitment and leadership within the community.

Who is eligible?

Navy and Navy Reserve veterans must be current students enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year college in the U.S. You also need proof of an honorable discharge to qualify.

How To Apply

Visit the SVA website to apply for the Raytheon SPY-6 scholarship online. The application includes questions about your educational goals and military experiences, and applicants must submit their answer as a two-minute video to give the committee a sense of your personality.

6. Comcast NBCUniversal-SVA Scholarship

For student veterans starting a career in the entertainment industry, Comcast NBCUniversal provides two annual scholarships of $12,000 in partnership with SVA. This scholarship program supports a wide range of entertainment-related roles, including business, marketing, production, and public relations.

Who is eligible?

You may qualify for the Comcast NBCUniversal scholarship if you’re attending an accredited two- or four-year college and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

How To Apply

When you’re ready to apply, submit a DD214 form as proof of military service, along with your college transcripts and resumé. You can complete the application online, which includes short essay questions on your interest in entertainment, any leadership experiences you may have, as well as your personal and professional goals.

7. AMvets scholarships

If you plan to work in a skilled trade, the AMvets scholarship program has partnered with Lowe’s to provide up to $5,000 in educational funds to help you achieve your career goals. The program aims to bolster the skilled trades industry by supporting veterans and spouses who want to pursue in-demand, blue-collar jobs (i.e., electricians, plumbers, and carpenters). The scholarship primarily covers tuition, but if tools and equipment are required for your program, you can request funds to cover those expenses as well.

Who is eligible?

Qualifying veterans or spouses must be enrolled in a construction trade program. It’s also important to note that the grant is only available to people who have exhausted other military education benefits.

How To Apply

To apply, you’ll need a DD214 form or military benefits letters, as well as an enrollment certificate or acceptance letter from your school. You will also need to complete a short essay question that is provided each year. The theme of this question is typically related to your interest in a trade career.

8. Army Women’s Foundation Scholarship

The Army Women’s Foundation Scholarship provides between $2,500 and $3,000 in grant funds to servicewomen and their children, to pursue graduate degrees and other programs. AWF created the program to honor the sacrifices, commitments, and merits of servicewomen. If you’re interested in the science and math sector, this program also gives special consideration to applicants studying in STEM fields. The scholarship can be used for tuition, housing, books, and supplies.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for the graduate scholarship, you must be enrolled or accepted in a master’s or doctoral program and have a GPA of 3.0. You must be a woman who is currently serving in or honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard. For the Legacy program, you must be the lineal descendent of a woman who meets the qualifications.

How To Apply

Fill out the online application at the Army Women’s Foundation website, and include your transcripts, recommendation letters, and verification of military service. The application also involves a personal essay demonstrating your academic potential, community service, personal merits, and financial need.

Northeastern Is Here to Help

Serving in the military is an admirable choice that can lead to additional opportunities in the future. If your education benefits are limited or exhausted, don’t assume you’ll have to take on the full cost of a graduate degree. Northeastern University has a number of aid options that can help you make the transition from a military to civilian career that much easier. From employer assistance to fellowships, scholarships, and grants, there are many options to help you accomplish your goals.

To learn more about the financial and program options available to you at Northeastern, visit our military student website or speak with a military admissions counselor to get your questions answered.

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GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.