Tillman Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Pat Tillman Foundation

If you’re a U.S. service member, veteran, or military spouse thinking about continuing your education and leadership journey, read this carefully — the Pat Tillman Foundation wants to support leaders who practice “service beyond self.”

Overview
The Pat Tillman Foundation identifies and invests in remarkable military-connected people as the next generation of leaders. Through scholarships, leadership development, mentorship, and a national peer network, the Foundation helps scholars complete degrees and expand their capacity to make meaningful, long-term impact.

Who this is for
- Active duty service members, veterans, and military spouses (see the application page for full eligibility details).

What the award covers and offers
- Financial support for tuition, books, and living expenses.
- Structured leadership development.
- Mentorship and career support.
- Access to national events and programming.
- Connection to a global network of nearly 1,000 Tillman Scholars.

Scale
- The Foundation selects up to 60 Tillman Scholars each year.
- Alumni go on to careers as physicians, educators, founders, national security experts, astronauts, and leaders across many sectors.

How applicants are evaluated
The selection focuses on four qualities:
- Service: Demonstrated service beyond self, in and out of uniform.
- Scholarship: Commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual growth.
- Humble Leadership: Leading by example with a selfless approach.
- Impact: Ability to unite others and advance ideas that make change.

Key dates
- Applications for the 2026 Tillman Scholars class are now open.
- Deadline: February 1, 2026 at 23:59 PT.

Practical application tips (read before you start)
1. Use a personal email (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.). Do not use .edu, .mil, or .gov addresses — those can block Foundation email notifications. Verify your email address after registering so you receive status updates.
2. Use an up-to-date browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari recommended).
3. You are applying for funding for the upcoming fall/spring academic year, not the current term.
4. When you begin the application, tasks appear in a box on the left side of the screen. Scroll up and down to reveal every task; additional tasks will appear as you complete earlier ones.

Resources
- The Foundation has a playlist of application videos, including an overview of the process and program details.
- Watch “TS Perspectives” to hear advice and best practices from current Tillman Scholars.
- For general information and impact stories, visit the Pat Tillman Foundation website and the Tillman Scholars page.

A final word
This is a competitive fellowship for people who have already shown a commitment to service and want to amplify it through education and leadership development. Start early, follow the steps above, and use the videos and alumni perspectives to shape a thoughtful application.