Our nation was built on the sacrifices made by the young men and women in the military who demonstrate the very kind of leadership we seek to inspire in all young people. Yet, even with the GI Bill, many servicemembers and their dependents (children and spouses) still lack the financial means to pursue their greater educational goals. In 2009 the Pat Tillman Foundation established Tillman Military Scholarships to close this gap and help more servicemembers and their dependents access educational opportunities and encourage their life long commitment to service.

The Tillman Military Scholarships are intended to cover direct study-related expenses such as tuition, fees, and books, as well as other needs such as room and board and child care. The Pat Tillman Foundation allocates scholarships to individual applicants through the Foundation and through select university partners with existing servicemember support programs and enrollment.

The online application is now closed.

Please check back next Spring for an opportunity to apply for the 2011 / 2012 academic year.

Please check the Frequently Asked Questions document for further information.

Application and all supporting materials must be submitted online no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, April 30, 2010.

Please contact scholarships@pattillmanfoundation.org with any specific questions.

Who is eligible to apply for to be a Tillman Military Scholar?

• Veteran and active servicemembers of both pre- and post-9/11 service
• Servicemembers who wish to start, finish, or further their education:

         - Those whose benefits have run out or do not meet their needs

         - Those enrolled as a full-time student at an U.S. institution of higher learning

• Servicemembers of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserve
• Servicemembers pursuing undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, 2-year, 4-year, public, private, vocational, and trade degrees or certifications
• Dependents of servicemembers (children under the age of 30 or spouses):

           - Those whose benefits are not transferable from their mother/father/husband/wife

           - Those who are survivors of a servicemember

           - Those whose transferable benefits are not sufficient

What criteria will be considered for awarding the Tillman Military Scholarships?

• Unmet financial need
• Educational and career ambitions
• Record of personal achievement
• Compelling, thoughtful, genuine, and thorough essay question responses
• Demonstration of service to others in the community and a desire to continue such service

Annual renewability

Annual renewability will be considered for most scholarships based on proof of full-time student status, minimum GPA earned, as well as, documented participation in civic action or community service. Additionally, scholarship funding can only be used toward a single degree or certification per award winner.

Documents Required

To complete the application, the following documents will need to be uploaded:

• Documentation of military service (DD214 - separation documents, Officer Record Brief, Enlistment Record Brief, NGB 23, Unit Move Orders, Basic Individual Record or other documentation that verifies military service)
• Resume (including education, work, public service history, recognitions and awards earned)

In addition to the documents requested above, should you be chosen as a semifinalist, the following additional documents will be requested at a later date:

• Financial aid award letter from institution for 2010-2011
• 2010-2011 Student Aid Report (SAR), summary from the FAFSA website
• Photo highlighting your or your family member's military service (see examples on the website)