For student veterans who served after September 11, 2001, the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers full tuition and fees at public universities and at least partial tuition and fees at private universities. It also includes stipends to pay for books and supplies and housing allowances.

Yet, an analysis of education data by the Pew Charitable Trusts revealed that 27 percent of undergraduate student veterans took out federal or private student loans during the 2015-16 academic year, despite access to these education benefits. And the median loan amount among that group of student veterans was $8,000 that year, $500 higher than the median loan amount among undergraduate, nonveteran independent student borrowers.

Another Pew survey found that 58 percent of student veterans who took out student loans borrowed primarily to pay for their living expenses, with 21 percent citing housing costs and 17 percent citing day-to-day expenses such as groceries and child care, while 42 percent borrowed to cover their educational expenses.

With the cost of tuition at a high, costing an average of $35,331 per year, student veterans should apply for scholarships to help them pay for college.

“Treat the scholarship search like a job,” advises Cathy Mueller, the executive director of Mapping Your Future. “If you spend 10 hours applying and searching for scholarships and you win only one $1,000 scholarship, that’s like earning $100 an hour. Certainly, applying for scholarships is time well spent.”

Here is a list of scholarships for veterans for you to begin with. To maximize your scholarships, though, you should cast a wide net and look for other scholarships that you could qualify for based on other factors, such as your GPA, race, gender, or major.

The Ingenovis Health Veteran Nursing Student Scholarship

Ingenovis Health is now accepting applications for The Ingenovis Health Veteran Nursing Student Scholarship. 

The company will award five scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each.

To apply, interested students must submit an essay of 300 words or more on why they are pursuing a career in nursing.

Application Deadline: July 23, 2024

Award: $5,000 (5 awards)

Eligibility: 

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident 
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited university or college in the United States
• Must be pursuing an associate’s degree in nursing (ASN, ADN or AAS), a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN or RN-BSN), or a graduate degree in nursing (MSN or DNP/PhD) and be in their final year of study during the 2024-25 academic year
• Must be a current student veteran (includes members of the National Guard or Reserve) as proven by Form DD-214, or a student on Active Duty as proven by submission of Active Duty orders and a Memorandum of Understanding from their commanding officer indicating that they are currently in good standing with their unit

Click here to apply for The Ingenovis Health Veteran Nursing Student Scholarship.

The scholarships listed above are just some of the best scholarships we’ve found for you. There are many other scholarships out there.

Use TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find more scholarships for you.

To keep on top of new scholarships as they are offered, be sure to join the TUN Community. We will let you know about scholarships that you qualify for. 

When to apply for scholarships 

Each scholarship has a specific deadline. These deadlines occur throughout the year, so you can find one for any time of the year. Keep in mind, however, that some scholarship deadlines may fall months, even a year, before the start of the academic year for which you’re seeking a scholarship.  

So, you should start the search process early and look for scholarships throughout the year. That way, if you find an award that appeals to you, you’ll be ahead of the game. 

And when you apply, be sure to meet the deadline for each specific scholarship. 

How to apply for scholarships

Each scholarship has its own unique requirements and qualifications. The first step to successfully applying for any scholarship is reading the details carefully. Make sure that you fit the eligibility criteria and fill out the application completely. 

Pay attention to what’s required of you. For example, if you need a recommendation letter, you should request one way ahead of time so you have one by the time you apply. If an essay is required, start writing weeks before the deadline so you have an essay you can be proud of before the due date.

Aim to send in your application at least a few days before the deadline. This way, you avoid the risk of getting sidelined by technical glitches, tests, heavy homework load, or illness. 

And don’t forget to submit everything required of you as part of your application. 

For more tips on how to apply for scholarships, check here.

How to find scholarships

Colleges may offer either merit-based or need-based scholarships or both. You can usually find most of the information by clicking on their “financial aid” page. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to email or call their financial aid office.

There are also outside scholarships — like the ones listed above — that are sponsored by companies, organizations, foundations, and individuals as a way to give back to their communities. The awards can cover your entire tuition or a portion of it. Some scholarships have a GPA requirement or are based on financial need, while others embrace a cause or emphasize community involvement, athletic achievement, diversity, passion, and much more. 

So, how do you find outside scholarships like these?

Start your search with TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find scholarships that are ideal for you. You can search by grade level, GPA, major, state of residency, scholarship name, or deadline month. You can also browse through our featured scholarships, some available only through TUN, and a collated list of scholarships for specific groups of students. 

You should also check with your college to see if they have a list of scholarships. Your financial aid adviser may have the list or point you to someone who can help you. They may also be in the know about scholarships sponsored by local stores or organizations.

Your family is yet another good source of scholarships. Your parents or guardians may work for a company that offers scholarships for dependents of employees. 

If you work while in college, you may also qualify for an employee scholarship. 

For more tips on how to find scholarships, check here.

How to get scholarships

Scholarships, especially ones with high awards, can be very competitive. In some cases, you may be competing against thousands of students. 

So, how do you increase your chances of winning a scholarship?

First, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and submit all the information required of you, including recommendation letters, transcripts, and resume.

Second, be sure to distinguish yourself from the other applicants. Your essay, if that’s required, is what makes you unique so let your personality and creativity shine through. How do you do that? 

You can achieve that “by showing instead of telling,” according to Sarah Chomette, an eAdviser with the College Advising Corps. 

“When answering a creative prompt or inputting your personal statement, it’s important to provide the reader with a story instead of just telling them about your goals and accomplishments,” she said. “That can be kind of boring and it makes you get lost in the crowd.”

A successful essay must include four major components, Chomette explained. First, make sure that you convey your personal values. Second, be open and honest to help the reader feel a connection with you. Third, let the reader know why your story is important. Fourth, your writing must show that you put time and effort into it. 

If a scholarship asks for a video or infographic instead of an essay, the same principle applies.

To summarize, always put thought and effort into your whole application and submit your best work. There should be no obvious errors or typos. And if you need to submit a recommendation letter, reflect on who knows you best and whose recommendation would help your application the most. 

Are scholarships taxable?

Typically, scholarships are not taxable. However, it can depend on how the scholarship money is being used, according to federal tax laws. 

Scholarship dollars are tax-exempt if they are going to a degree-seeking candidate and are being used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment, books, supplies, and other educational expenses. 

Scholarships are not tax-exempt, and you must report them as “gross income,” if they are used to pay for room and board, travel, or optional equipment. 

If you have additional questions, you should reach out to the financial aid office of your prospective or current college or university. 

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