Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GUARD CHILDREN

Do you know the child of a National Guardsman who was killed in the Global War on Terrorism who is now attending college or planning on attending college soon? If so, they may be eligible for a USAA Guardian Scholarship of up to $6,250 annually. Administered by the National Guard Educational Foundation, the fund has provided more than $600,000 in scholarships over the last 12 years.

Since September 11, 2001, nearly 800 Guardsmen have made the ultimate sacrifice in support of the Global War on Terrorism. These heroes left behind more than 1,000 children. Established in 2011, the USAA Guardian Scholarship Fund provides college scholarships to the children of National Guardsmen who have been lost in service to our nation since 9/11. Over the past 12 years, NGEF has awarded more than 100 scholarships through the fund.

The submission period is now open. Application Deadline: June 30, 2026.

The Van Hipp Heroes Scholarship Fund

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOUNDED GUARDSMEN

Guard soldiers and airmen who were wounded in an operational or training mission during the Global War on Terrorism are eligible for a $1,000 college scholarship from the Van Hipp Heroes Scholarship Fund.

Established in 2015, Van Hipp donates 100% of the proceeds from his book, The New Terrorism: How to Fight It and Defeat It to The Van Hipp Heroes Scholarship Fund. This initiative is administered by the National Guard Educational Foundation.

The submission period is now open. Application Deadline: July 1, 2026.

AFBA-NGAUS Scholarship

Scholarship for NGAUS active life and digital life members and their family members

The AFBA NGAUS Active Life Member Scholarship awards two $5,000 scholarships every July to Active Life members of NGAUS or dependents of Active Life members seeking an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate degree. The applicant must be a full-time student.

The application period will open on March 1, 2026.

Columbia Southern University Scholarship

Scholarship for NGAUS active annual or active life members

NGAUS has teamed with Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Alabama, to provide a new scholarship for the association's active annual members.

The NGAUS-CSU Scholarship will be awarded every year to a current active annual or active life member of the association. The recipient may also transfer the scholarship to their spouse or another family member.

The application period will open February 1, 2026.

Past Recipients

Amanda Lafky

CSU - 2025

115th Force Support Squadron

Wisconsin Air National Guard

Joshua Brower

AFBA - 2025

“SHELTER IN PLACE… SHELTER IN PLACE…”

I stood frozen in my home on Caribou Circle at Fort Greely, Alaska. For the first time, the alert wasn’t followed by “This is an exercise.”

Bennett Lindman

AFBA - 2025

"As someone already interested in math and science, STARBASE opened my eyes to the wide range of possibilities within STEM and helped me see how those interests could lead to a meaningful career."