Who Can Apply for a Scholarship

Dependent unmarried children under age 23 of active duty personnel, Reserve/Guard and retired military members, or survivors of service members who died while on active duty may apply for a Heroes' Legacy Scholarship if they meet one of the following additional criteria:

  • One of the parents died while serving on active duty in any branch or component of the U. S. Armed Forces since September 11, 2001, or

  • One of the parents, while serving on active duty, became disabled, meaning that the parent qualified for receipt of Traumatic Service members' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) or

  • One of the parents received a permanent and total compensation rating of 100% from the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs on or after September 11, 2001.

If a student or parent is not sure whether they qualify, they can submit documentation to Fisher House Foundation which will make such determinations on a case by case basis. Documentation should be sent via email to JWeiskopf@fisherhouse.org. Please include "Heroes' Legacy Scholarships" in the subject line. If no response is provided within one week, please call Fisher House Foundation at (888) 294-8560 to ensure the email was received.

In addition to the above, the student must possess a DD Form 1173 (United States Uniformed Services Identification Card). Eligibility, including survivors of deceased members, will be determined using the DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) database. Applicants can verify if they are enrolled in DEERS by going to www.dmdc.osd.mil and entering their social security number, date of birth, and last name.

Applicants must be enrolled, or planning to enroll, full-time in the fall of 2011 in an accredited U.S. college or university, or junior/community college. They must have a minimum cumulative unweighted grade point average of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 basis). College freshmen must submit a first semester college transcript.

Recipients may be asked to provide an "Awards Letter" from the college or university they plan to attend. An "Awards Letter" verifies the costs to attend a particular college or university, and it includes all grants the student has qualified to receive.

Excepting extremely unusual circumstances, the awards cannot be deferred for future use; the awards must be used for educational expenses incurred during the 2011-2012 Academic Year.

The awards are made without regard to race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, religious belief, national origin, rank or service of the sponsor.