Veterans United Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Veterans United Foundation

Overview
The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship helps family members of service members and Veterans pay for college. Started in 2012 and funded by Veterans United Home Loans and its employees, the program has awarded more than $1 million to military families across the U.S.

When you can apply
This scholarship is offered every year. Treat the application like a short-term project: review the timeline, note the deadlines, and begin gathering documents well before the deadline.

Who is eligible
You are eligible if you meet at least one of these conditions:
- You are a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability.
- You are the surviving spouse of a servicemember who died from a service-related cause.
- You are the surviving child of a servicemember who died from a service-related cause.

What else you must meet
You must also:
- Be currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited college or university for the upcoming semester.
- Be pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, graduate, post-graduate, or doctoral degree.
- Be willing to share personal stories and future goals with the Veterans United Foundation.
- Be prepared to provide the following documents within three business days of submitting your application:
- Deceased parent’s or spouse’s military documents (DD214 and death certificate, or DD1300), if applicable
- Official benefits letter showing disability rating (if applicable)
- Full FAFSA submission
- Proof of enrollment from your accredited college or university
- Government-issued photo ID
- Be able to submit receipts or invoices for eligible educational costs (tuition, books, fees, school supplies, and certain portions of room and board as determined by the foundation) as they occur in order to receive payment.
- Understand that you may be asked to complete a background check.

How awards are decided
Applications are evaluated on three main points:
- A typed essay: Tell your story—how military service or the loss of a spouse/parent has affected you; who you are; what you’ve done so far; and what you plan to pursue with your college education.
- Financial need: Determined by the foundation’s awards team using your full FAFSA submission.
- Additional information: Community, church, athletic, or school involvement and achievements. You may include supporting items such as photos, drawings, poems, or other writings if they help tell your story.

Quick tips from a teacher
- Start early: request records now so you can meet the three-business-day document window.
- Make the essay personal and specific—tell the committee what you want to accomplish and why.
- Keep copies of receipts and enrollment documents in one folder for easy submission.

If you want, I can help you turn your essay draft into a clear, compelling version or make a checklist for your application materials.