Scholarships for Military Reservists
Get the Military Advantage for College
The advantages to serving in a reserve position in the military are immense when it comes to benefits like college scholarships. This is just one of the incentives offered to those who may not be interested in pursuing the military full-time, but are willing to serve in a reserve status. Reservists know they may be "called-up" at any time.
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve
Available to members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard Reserves as well as members of the National Guard, the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve Scholarship pays $297 per month up to the 36 month limit making the potential scholarship worth more than $10,000. To be eligible for the scholarship, members must have a 6 year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve, complete the initial active duty for training (IADT) and remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit.
Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Programs
High School applicants can apply online for a four year Army ROTC Scholarship which requires an agreement to serve in the US Army or Army Reserves. GPA must be at least 2.5 with a SAT score of 920 although higher SAT scores are competing for these scholarships. Students must also meet certain physical requirements. With this training, applicant can enter the Army or Army Reserve as an officer however there are different levels of scholarships available.
Reserve Education Assistance Program
The Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) is for reservists called to active duty in response to a war or National Emergency. The fund benefits those reservists activated after September 11, 2001. Award amount is based on the length of active duty service although 90 days is the minimum number of days required to be eligible for this award.
Scholarships for Children of Military Reservists
The military has scholarships for children of reservists. Scholarships apply to dependents who are unmarried and under the age of 23. They must be children of active duty/reserve/guard, dependents of retired members or survivors of deceased members to qualify. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time first time undergraduate degree program. High school seniors with a 3.0 GPA as well as college-students with a 3.0 who meet the above requirements are eligible to apply for this scholarship. This scholarship is only for full-time students pursuing their first bachelor's degree.
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
Children of Marine Corps reservists as well as a limited number of children of Navy Corps Reservists who served or are serving with the US Marines are eligible for these scholarships which provide from $500 to $10,000 with the average award being about $3,000. Applicants must have a 2.0 GPA and be a high school graduate or enrolled as an undergraduate in an accredited college/university or vocational/technical school. There is also a family limit of $65,000 adjusted gross income per year.
Spouses to Teachers Program
The Spouses to Teachers Program is available in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Kansas, Nevada, Nebraska, Utah and New Mexico. The scholarship is available to spouses of active duty, Selected Reserve, National Guard and Individual Ready Reserve currently serving on active duty. This scholarship has a maximum award of $600 and is geared toward individuals who already have a bachelor's degree to help with recertification in another state or to pay for state exams. Individuals without a bachelor's degree may also receive assistance.
