Secure Marine Corps Scholarship Fund 2025/2026

The Marine Corps Scholarship Fund has been a beacon of hope for the children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen for over six decades. As one of the nation’s most established scholarship programs, it provides crucial financial support to help military families afford higher education. For 2024/2025, the Scholarship Foundation continues its mission, offering a variety of scholarships designed to support the academic dreams of deserving students. Whether you are a child of a fallen hero, a wounded Marine, or a grandchild of a veteran, the Secure Marine Corps Scholarship Fund is here to help you on your educational journey.

This guide will provide an in-depth look at the Secure Marine Corps Scholarship Fund for 2024/2025. We’ll cover everything you need about eligibility requirements, the application process, and the specific scholarship programs available. Whether you’re a potential applicant or a family member, this article will ensure you have all the information you need to apply successfully and secure the financial support necessary to achieve your educational goals.

What is the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund?

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has a long history of supporting military families. Established in 1962, the foundation has awarded scholarships to thousands of students nationwide. The fund aims to honor the sacrifices made by Marines and Navy Corpsmen by providing financial assistance to their children for higher education. Over the years, the scholarship has expanded to include not only children of active duty and retired Marines but also those whose parents have been injured or killed in service.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the Secure Marine Corps Scholarship Fund for 2024/2025, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. Understanding these requirements is crucial for ensuring that you or your child qualifies before starting the application process.

Children or Step-Children of Marines or Navy Corpsmen: The applicant must be the child or step-child of an active-duty, reserve, or veteran U.S. Marine or Navy Corpsman, Chaplain, or Religious Program Specialist who is or was attached to a Marine unit. This also includes children of Marines or Navy Corpsmen killed while serving.
Academic Requirements: Applicants must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.00. This ensures that the scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to their education.
Financial Need: The scholarship is need-based. Families must demonstrate financial need through an adjusted gross income of $117,000 or less for the 2022 tax year. This requirement helps ensure that the scholarships go to those who need financial support the most.
Accredited School Enrollment: Applicants must be attending or planning to attend an accredited school eligible for federal funding. This includes a wide range of post-secondary institutions, from traditional four-year universities to technical and vocational schools.

Disqualifications

Not everyone who applies for the Secure Marine Corps Scholarship Fund will be eligible. It’s essential to understand the disqualifying factors to avoid applying unnecessarily.

Non-Honorable Discharge: If the military parent or the applicant veteran does not have an honorable discharge, they are ineligible for the scholarship.
Previous Degree Holders: Applicants who already possess an undergraduate degree are not eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Federal Service Academy Students: Those attending a Federal Service Academy are disqualified from receiving the scholarship. This also applies to students attending schools not listed on College Navigator or those that are not eligible for federal funding.
Marital Status of Stepparents: Applicants whose military stepparent is no longer married to their biological parent at the time of application are disqualified.
High School Completion: Applicants who will not have their high school diploma by August 1, 2024, are ineligible to apply. The scholarship is intended for students who are ready to begin their post-secondary education by the fall of 2024.

Specific Scholarship Programs

The Secure Marine Corps Scholarship Fund offers various scholarship programs tailored to the unique circumstances of military families. Each program addresses the needs of different groups, such as children of the fallen, children of the wounded, and grandchildren of veterans.

Children of the Fallen

For families who have lost a parent in the line of duty, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation provides significant financial support. The foundation guarantees scholarships of $30,000 over four years, disbursing $7,500 annually to eligible children.

Eligibility: This scholarship is available to children of Marines and veteran Marines whose parent was killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, or in combat operations, Department of Defense operations, training exercises, or domestic terrorist incidents occurring after September 11, 2001. Additionally, it is available to children of Marines, Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit who died by suicide as a result of combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress.
Impact: This scholarship is a lifeline for families who have lost their loved ones, helping to ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education. For example, a student whose Marine parent was killed in a combat operation can use this scholarship to cover tuition, books, and other educational expenses over four years, ensuring that they can complete their degree without financial stress.

Children of the Wounded

The foundation also offers substantial financial aid to children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen who have been wounded in action. Depending on the severity of the injury and the family’s financial need, these scholarships can provide up to $40,000 over four years.

Eligibility: To qualify, applicants must be children of Marines or Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit who were wounded in any war or conflict. The scholarship also extends to children of those who have been permanently retired due to service-related injuries or are currently ill or injured and serving with the Wounded Warrior Regiment/Battalion.
Financial Support: Scholarships range from $2,500 to $10,000 per year, depending on the family’s financial situation and the number of applicants. This support helps cover the costs of tuition, room and board, and other essential college expenses, allowing students to focus on their studies rather than financial worries.

Scholarships for Grandchildren

In recognition of the extended family’s service, the foundation also offers scholarships to grandchildren of veterans. However, these scholarships are more limited and competitive, with funding dependent on the association membership of the grandparent.

Eligibility: Grandchildren applying for this scholarship must provide documentation proving their grandparent’s membership in one of the following associations: 531 Gray Ghost Squadron Association, Marines’ Memorial Association, or USMC/Combat Helicopter Association. The applicants must also meet the same eligibility criteria as other applicants, including financial need.
Examples: A student whose grandfather was a member of the USMC/Combat Helicopter Association and who meets the financial and academic requirements can apply for this scholarship. If awarded, this funding can significantly reduce the cost of attending college or a technical school.

Application Process

Applying for the Secure Marine Corps Scholarship Fund is a straightforward process, but it requires attention to detail and adherence to deadlines. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the application process.

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

Before you start your application, ensure you have all the necessary documents. This includes:

Proof of military service, such as DD Form 214 for veterans or military orders for active duty personnel.
Proof of relationship to the Marine or Navy Corpsman, which could be a birth certificate or legal adoption papers.
A copy of your high school transcript showing your GPA.
Proof of enrollment or acceptance at an accredited school.
Financial documents, such as tax returns, to demonstrate financial need.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application

The application is completed online through the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation’s website. The application form will ask for personal information, details about your academic background, and financial information.

Tip: Be sure to double-check all the information you enter. Inaccuracies or incomplete information can delay the processing of your application or result in disqualification.

Step 3: Submit Required Documents

After completing the online form, you must upload the required documents. Ensure each document is clear and legible. If you have any doubts about the document quality, consider scanning them at a higher resolution.

Examples: If your parent was a Marine killed in combat, you must submit official military documentation proving their service and the circumstances of their death. Additionally, you should provide financial documentation to verify your family’s income, such as a copy of the 2022 tax return.

Step 4: Review and Submit

Before submitting your application, review all sections to ensure everything is complete. Once satisfied, submit your application before the deadline.

Deadline: Make sure you are aware of the application deadline. Late submissions are not accepted, so it’s crucial to start the process early and allow enough time for any unforeseen delays.

Step 5: Await Notification

After submitting your application, the waiting period begins. The foundation reviews all applications and notifies successful applicants via email or mail.

Tip: Use this waiting period to explore other scholarship opportunities or prepare for your upcoming academic year. It’s also a good idea to check your email regularly in case the foundation requires additional information.

Conclusion

The mission of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is to Honor Marines by Educating Their Children. For over 60 years, the foundation has been dedicated to supporting military families by providing scholarships that ease the financial burden of higher education. The Secure Marine Corps Scholarship Fund for 2024/2025 is a remarkable opportunity for the children and grandchildren of Marines and Navy Corpsmen to pursue higher education without overwhelming financial stress.

If you have confirmed your eligibility and read the FAQs, you’re ready to take the next step. The application for the 2024/2025 academic year is now closed, but the application for the 2025/2026 academic year will open on January 1, 2025. Mark your calendar and prepare your documents early to ensure a smooth application process. By securing this scholarship, you can honor your family’s legacy of service while building a bright future through education.