Children of Desert Storm veterans have a number of options for grants and scholarships based on their father or mother being active in the military when the United States helped Kuwait force the Iraqis from their country. These programs were established by veterans looking to help other veterans and their families meet the financial obligations a student incurs by going to college.

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

Begun in 1962, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has the distinction of being the oldest scholarship program dedicated to providing need-based funds for military children attending college. Scholarships for the 2013 to 2014 academic year went to 2,040 students and totaled more than $6,600,000. Children of active-duty, honorably discharged, or killed-while-on-duty U.S. Marines and reservists, as well as U.S. Navy Corpsmen who served with a marine unit, are eligible to apply. The scholarships are awarded based on financial need, and the adjusted gross income of the family cannot exceed $93,000 for 2013. Award amounts range from $1,500 to $10,000.

Air Force Aid Society

Established prior to the 1988 to 1989 academic year, the AFAS General Henry H. Arnold Education Program has awarded 99,530 need-based grants to children of active-duty, retired, killed-on-duty, and reservists who served in the Air Force. Each grant is worth $2,000. AFAS also sponsors the AFAS Merit Scholarship program, which awarded $5,000 to 37 students for the 2013 to 2014 academic year. AFAS uses Scholarship Management Services to administer the grant and scholarship programs.

Scholarships for Military Children Program

This is a merit-based program that considers the academic achievement of a student as well as her community involvement activities, work experiences and the required essay. Winning applicants receive $2,000 for the current academic year. Applicants need to reapply annually to keep on receiving funds. Applicants must be unmarried and under the age of 23 to qualify. GPA requirements are 3.0 for high school seniors and 2.5 for undergraduates. This scholarship is open to all children from every military branch of service, past and present.

Scholarships are available to children of active, retired, or deceased sailor and Marine personnel who are 23 years old or younger. Scholarships range from $500 to $3,000. The program also provides low-interest loans that range from $500 to $3,000. A student must have a GPA of 3.0 or better and be able to demonstrate financial need.

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Writer Bio

Griffith Pritchard served as a senior branch manager and banking officer for M&T Bank. He specialized in small business and personal financial, credit and banking products. He also has extensive experience in small business sales and non-profit management. Pritchard is a graduate of Hobart College.