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Discover how the Folds of Honor Scholarship financially supports military families and first responders in this comprehensive guide. Below, we unveil everything you need to know about the generous scholarship program, from the benefits to requirement and simple application process.
Whether you are a dependent seeking higher education avenues or a spouse striving to secure your academic aspirations, this article is your essential companion.
The Folds of Honor Scholarship: An Overview
What is the Folds of Honor Scholarship?
In a nutshell, it is a program that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled service members. It was founded by Major Dan Rooney in 2007 with the goal of honoring the sacrifices made by military families and ensuring that their loved ones’ legacies are remembered and supported.
Major Dan Rooney is the founder of the Folds of Honor Foundation and a former United States Air Force fighter pilot. He is also a professional golfer and a motivational speaker. Rooney’s dual roles as a pilot and a golfer have shaped his mission to support military families through education.
Rooney’s inspiration to create the Folds of Honor Foundation came from a personal experience. While returning from his second tour of duty in Iraq, he witnessed the heartbreaking sight of a fallen soldier’s family waiting on the tarmac to receive the casket.
This moment moved him to take action and provide support for the families of fallen and disabled service members.
Meanwhile, the Folds of Honor Foundation aims to bridge the gap and provide financial assistance to military families, helping them pursue higher education and achieve their academic goals.
Moreover, the scholarship program has gained significant recognition and support over the years, and it continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of military families across the U.S.
Although the Folds of Honor Foundation is primarily focused on providing scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members, it has also started offering a separate scholarship program specifically for first responders in recent years.
Program Benefits
Folds of Honor’s Military Scholarships offer financial support up to $5,000, distributed not exceeding $2,500 per term. The generous amount given makes it one of the most coveted scholarships for family members of veterans.
Additionally, if the student’s unmet need is less than $2,500, Folds of Honor covers their actual unmet need.
This assistance aids military families by reducing financial burdens, fostering education continuity, and encouraging educational pursuits without unnecessary financial stress.
On the other hand, the First Responder Scholarships provide equivalent benefits to the Military Scholarships, including financial aid of up to $5,000 with a term limit of $2,500.
The Folds of Honor Scholarship Requirements
Who is eligible for the Folds of Honor Scholarship?
The Folds of Honor Scholarship qualifications vary based on the type of scholarship you are seeking: Military or First Responder Scholarship. As each scholarship targets different recipients, understanding the respective eligibility criteria is important to ensure accurate application submission.
The Military Scholarships
To qualify for the Military Scholarships, applicants must be intending to enroll or already enrolled in an accredited college, university, technical, or trade school program. Eligibility extends to dependents and spouses of service members.
For dependents, valid proof of the relationship involves presenting a current military ID along with a state-issued marriage license, legal adoption papers, or legal guardianship documentation.
Spouses applying for the scholarship should provide either a current military ID or a state-issued marriage license. These criteria ensure that recipients are connected to military service members in ways that warrant support.
The First Responder Scholarships
The First Responder Scholarships are available to the spouse and/or dependent(s) of a first responder who suffered a catastrophic injury or fatality that rendered them unable to perform their occupational duties.
Eligible candidates must provide documentation substantiating their relationship with the first responder, which includes birth certificates, state-issued marriage license, legal adoption papers, or legal guardianship documents for dependents.
For spouses applying for the scholarship, a state-issued marriage license is required.
Notes: “Unmet need” refers to the expenses you still have after accounting for things like a part of your tuition, fees, housing in the school dorms, meal plans, and textbooks. This is the money that is left over once you have taken into consideration any other awards or financial aid you have received. It is important to note that loans or work-study options are not counted as financial aid when calculating this unmet need.
How to Apply for The Folds of Honor Scholarship
To apply for the scholarship, follow these steps through the application portal at fohscholarships.communityforce.com:
- Create a single account using one email address. For each student you seek funds for, complete a separate application.
- After logging in, access the scholarship description page.
- To initiate a new application, locate the ‘Start a New Application’ button corresponding to the relevant scholarship type on the right. A pop-up box will appear, allowing you to designate your application by student name for easy tracking.
- Upon completing an application, click the ‘Search’ button to return to the scholarship description page and commence another application if needed.
- If additional information or documents are necessary following the review process, the foundation will communicate via the email registered on your application account.
Closing Date
The application window for both Military and First Responder Scholarships opens on February 1 at 9:00 a.m. EST and closes on March 31 at 6:00 p.m. EST every year. Applicants must submit their applications during this timeframe to be considered. Notifications regarding scholarship awards will be sent out by July 31.
It is essential to adhere to the Folds of Honor Scholarship deadline ensure eligibility and a timely review of your application.
Contact Person
For scholarship inquiries, you can contact them at (918) 274-4700 or via email at scholarships@foldsofhonor.org. Their office hours are from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Feel free to reach out for assistance or more information about the scholarship program.
Official Website
The official website of the Folds of Honor Scholarship is foldsofhonor.org. Here, you can find comprehensive information about the scholarships, eligibility criteria, application process, and more. Visit the website to access all the details you need to apply for these meaningful educational opportunities.
