Best Veteran Scholarships for Graduate School (PhD)

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Are you a military service member returning home  and looking to transition into an advanced professional career? You can benefit greatly from graduate school scholarships for veterans, particularly PhD scholarships.

According to the U.S. Census, there are 21.8 million veterans in the United States. Organizations have formed many scholarships to say “thank you” to brave men and women who risked their lives for our freedom.

Many programs, including the Montgomery G.I. Bill and Yellow Ribbon Project, will provide tuition benefits for undergraduate or graduate degrees. However, you still may lack the funding to cover four to six expensive years of doctoral study.

The following are 9 great scholarships open to PhD students who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Reviewing the Best Veteran Scholarships for Graduate School

1. AMVETS National Scholarship Program

Deadline: April 15th

The AMVETS National Scholarship Program can provide $1,000 for full-time graduate students. These are for students at accredited U.S. colleges and universities who have exhausted government aid or veterans benefits in pursuit of a master’s or PhD. Eligible candidates must:

  • be honorably discharged U.S. veterans
  • have American citizenship
  • exhibit unmet financial need
  • carry a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Applications must include:

  • college transcripts
  • 1040 tax forms
  • the FAFSA
  • proof of college expenses
  • a resume
  • a 100-word personal essay
Contact

AMVETS National Scholarship Program
4647 Forbes Blvd.
Lanham, MD 20706
(877) 726-8387
smullen@amvets.org
Scholarship Link

2. Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarships

Deadline: January 15th

The Army Women’s Foundation gives two $2,500 Legacy Scholarships annually. These go to women who have served in:

  • the U.S. Army
  • U.S. Army Reserve
  • Army National Guard

They must be furthering their education in a graduate-level program (master’s or PhD). Qualified applicants must:

  • be honorably discharged
  • already hold a bachelor’s degree
  • maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

You must also attach:

  • official transcripts
  • two recommendation letters
  • commander’s verification
  • a short essay
Contact

Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarships
P.O. Box 5030
Fort Lee, VA 23801
(804) 734-3078
info@awfdn.org
Scholarship Link

3. F. Edward Hebert Health Professions Scholarships

Deadline: Ongoing

The U.S. Army Medical Department has established the F. Edward Hebert Health Professions Scholarships. It pays 100 percent of tuition and provides a $2,000 monthly stipend while you earn a professional or PhD degree in:

  • medicine
  • dentistry
  • optometry
  • veterinary medicine
  • psychiatric nursing
  • clinical psychology

Applicants must:

  • be U.S. citizens
  • have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
  • maintain full-time enrollment status
  • qualify as commissioned officers

Some may receive a $20,000 sign-on bonus.

Contact

F. Edward Hebert Health Professions Scholarships
1054 31st Street NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 762-0049
Scholarship Link

4. Google SVA Scholarship Program

Deadline: November 2nd

In partnership with the Student Veterans of America, Google offers the SVA Scholarship Program. It awards $10,000 to honorably discharged U.S. veterans who are enrolling full-time as graduate students. They must be pursuing a master’s or PhD in the computing field. Acceptable majors include:

  • computer science
  • computer engineering
  • software development
  • electrical engineering
  • information technology

Eligible candidates must:

  • maintain strong academic performance
  • exemplify leadership
  • demonstrate a passion for technology
Contact

Google SVA Scholarship Program
1012 14th Street NW
Washington, D.C 20005
(202) 223-4710
scholarships@studentveterans.org
Scholarship Link

5. Jennings Randolph Peace Scholarships

Deadline: December 4th

The United States Institute of Peace awards The Jennings Randolph Peace Scholarships. These are awarded to doctoral scholars.The awards are $20,000 for 10 months of dissertation support. Military veterans who are enrolled full-time in a doctoral program at an accredited U.S. university to earn a PhD, SJD, or EdD are encouraged to apply. Research should address topics related to:

  • conflict management
  • conflict analysis
  • international peace building

However, proposals from all majors are welcome.

Contact

Jennings Randolph Peace Scholarships
2301 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 457-1700
jrprogram@usip.org
Scholarship Link

Contact

Military Advance Doctoral Scholarship
225 South 6th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(866) 736-1677
admission@capella.ed
Scholarship Link

6. New York Veterans Tuition Awards

Deadline: June 30th

Although they’re offered at all degree levels, The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) offers the New York Veterans Tuition Awards. They’re offered at all degree levels. They can also be used as doctoral scholarships for veterans enrolled at any in-state, degree-granting institution. Funding is for up to $6,950 yearly. Candidates must:

  • reside in New York
  • be discharged under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed Forces
  • have applied for the Tuition Assistance Program
  • meet good academic standing requirements
Contact

New York Veterans Tuition Awards
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12255
(888) 697-4372
DVAInfo@veterans.ny.gov
Scholarship Link

7. Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: March 1st

This scholarship is In honor of a U.S. Army Ranger who died heroically in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The Pat Tillman Foundation has awarded over 400 scholarships to:

  • active duty military
  • veterans
  • military spouses

Those from all U.S. branches are eligible. Tillman scholars include veterans who are enrolled full-time in a graduate program for a:

  • master’s degree
  • professional degree
  • doctoral degree

The program must be at an accredited American university. Selection is based on applicants’:

  • career ambitions
  • military service record
  • leadership potential
  • positive impact on communities
Contact

Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarships
217 North Jefferson Street
Chicago, IL 60661
(773) 360-5277
scholarships@pattillmanfoundation.org
Scholarship Link

8. Raytheon SVA Patriot Scholarship

Deadline: April 4th

The Raytheon SVA Patriot Scholarship is sponsored by the Student Veterans of America. The $10,000 award is offered to two deserving U.S. Army veterans. They must be attending an accredited university full-time for a graduate degree (master’s or PhD). Eligible candidates must:

  • have good academic standing
  • be honorably discharged on a DD 214 form
  • exhibit leadership qualities
  • demonstrate a passion for their field
  • write three 500-word essay responses

Priority is given to veterans studying STEM disciplines.

Contact

Raytheon SVA Patriot Scholarship
1012 14th Street NW
Washington, D.C 20005
(202) 223-4710
scholarships@studentveterans.org
Scholarship Link

9. Veterans United Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: April 1st

Ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 apiece, The Veterans United Foundation Scholarships are for honorably discharged veterans or surviving military spouses. They must be pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree. The scholarships range from $5,000 to $20,000 each.  Qualified recipients must:

  • plan to enroll at an accredited U.S. university full-time
  • be actively involved in community service
  • demonstrate financial need
  • write a maximum three-page essay sharing personal stories from the military

Scholarships are be applied to:

  • tuition
  • books
  • fees
  • or room and board
Contact

Veterans United Foundation Scholarships
1400 Veterans United Drive
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 445-7841
customer_service@veteransunited.com
Scholarship Link

Whether you served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserves, your military experience will be a valuable career asset. There are certain jobs that won’t unlock without a PhD though. Veterans who invest in a doctoral degree could become:

  • chief research scientists
  • psychologists
  • university professors
  • college deans
  • sociologists
  • anthropologists
  • astrophysicists

The PhD is the highest terminal degree offered in most fields. It can provide great:

  • confidence
  • accomplishment
  • respect

Consider applying for these PhD scholarships for veterans to afford enrolling in a doctoral program.

See also: 50 Great Sources for Graduate School Grant Money

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20 Great PhD Scholarships and Doctoral Grants for Minorities

20 Great Left Handed Scholarships

20 Great Doctoral Scholarships in Education

This concludes our coverage of the best veteran scholarships for graduate school (PhD).

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