Coast Guard Scholarships
Scholarships for Enlisted, Reservists and Family
If you're pursuing both the Coast Guard and a college education you've come to the right place. Check out the scholarships that are available to you and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Scholarship searches shouldn't stop here. The Coast Guard is one of the five branches of the U.S. military. Members are those patrolling and protecting the porous borders of the country's waterways. There are scholarships for reservists, family members and even directly from a few colleges.
Scholarships for Enlisted Members
Enlisted Education Grant is designed for those in pay grades E-3 through E-9 with at least 2 years of Coast Guard Service. May be used in conjunction with Tuition Assistance Program. Award is $350 per year.
Scholarships for Reservists and their Dependents
USAA Family Reserve Enlisted Scholarship applicant must be an enlisted Reservist or the spouse or child of a Coast Guard Drilling Enlisted Reservist. Applicant must be enrolled in a 2 or 4 year accredited college/university and pursuing applicant's first Associates, Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate degree or the first certificate in a vocational training program. Award amount is $750. Applicant must submit a letter attesting to eligibility requirements, transcripts from the most recent institution applicant attended, and a one page typewritten essay on "What My/My Parent's/My Spouse's Coast Guard Reserves Participation Means to Me."
Coast Guard Spouses Association
Applicants for the Hawaii Coast Guard Spouses Scholarship must be the spouse of an active duty member currently stationed in Hawaii and be enrolled or submit proof of admission to an accredited institution seeking an Associate's, Undergraduate or Graduate degree. Selection will be based on the application and a 1-2 page essay discussing applicant's goals.
Sobel Scholarship and the Coast Guard Foundation Scholarship provide scholarships of up to $5,000 per year for dependent children of enlisted members of the Coast Guard on active duty or dependents of a Coast Guard Reservist who is currently on extended active duty for 180 days or more. The award is renewable for four years provided the student continues to qualify. In order to be considered for this award, the student should submit a completed application, college entrance scores, a letter of recommendation from where the student is currently attending high school or if applicant is already attending college then transcripts need to be submitted.
Coast Guard Exchange System provides scholarships to dependents of active duty and reserve Coast Guard members. Scholarships will be awarded to most outstanding students. Judging criteria include academic achievement, accomplishments and interests. Community and volunteer service as well as leadership are also important judging criteria. One award of $1500 will be awarded to the most outstanding student and two runners up will receive $500. This scholarship is only for students in the last year of high school or home school and scheduled to graduate and attend college the following year. Students who have already graduated are not eligible for this award. Along with the application, students must submit a one page typewritten essay detailing both their personal and professional goals for college and 2 letters of recommendation from school officials or community leaders.
Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund is administered by the Coast Guard Foundation. It offers children of Coast Guard members who die in the line of duty scholarships to further their education. The awards are partial scholarships for four years and as the fund grows, full scholarships are expected to be awarded.
School Specific Scholarships
Keiser College will award two full undergraduate scholarships valued at approximately $56,500 each. This award is for currently enlisted Coast Guard members who have already served four years in the Coast Guard and are on their second tour of duty. Applicant must have leadership skills, write an essay and have a recommendation from commanding officer. Essay must be written about leadership as applies to the candidate. Applicant must be accepted to Keiser College. Applicant must be able to furnish proof of high school diploma/GED, exam scores, such as SAT/ACT. Applicant will have the choice of attending one of Keiser's 13 Florida campuses or attend college through Keiser's ecampus online.
