The Scholarship
This postsecondary education scholarship, awarded for the first time in 2016, is for dependent children of women who served in any branch of the U.S. armed forces and deployed abroad while assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit participating in Operations Iraqi Freedom (3/20/03 - 8/31/10), Enduring Freedom (10/7/01 - 12/28/14) or New Dawn (9/1/10- 12/15/11).
The scholarship is a one-time award, but recipients may reapply for the award each year that they are eligible. Valor Run will award up to two $5,000 scholarships each year. Awards are given directly to recipients for use towards any educational need.
Individuals are not eligible for this award if enrolled at or attending a service academy or if in receipt of any other full tuition scholarship including ROTC. Students utilizing the post 9/11 GI Bill are eligible for this scholarship.
Please note, this scholarship is for dependent children of women veterans.
Who can apply?
Candidates must be under the age of 22 and the dependent child (natural born, adopted, step-child) of a woman meeting sponsor eligibility requirements. The applicant can be a high school senior accepted to a 4 year accredited college / university OR a high school graduate at a 4 year college / university enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintaining a 2.5 GPA.
Eligible sponsors are active, reserve or guard women (current or retired, discharged honorably or deceased) of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard. Sponsors must have served 6 months forward deployed while assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit supporting Operations Iraq Freedom (OIF), Enduring Freedom (OEF) or New Dawn (OND). This includes aircrew regularly flying sorties in support of these operations.
What is needed?
Eligibility of applicant (one):
Birth certificate
Page 1 of sponsor’s 1040
Sponsor’s military page 2
Applicant’s military dependent ID
Eligibility of sponsor (one):
DD-214 clearly listing service in Iraq or Afghanistan during OIF, OEF, OND
Award citation and service nomination form from OIF, OEF, OND with dates spanning or totaling 6 months
Statement of service with dates and location of service during OIF, OEF, OND
Proof of educational level:
Official HS transcript after first semester
Proof of 4 year college acceptance
Official college transcript of most recent semester
Verification of enrollment from local school district for home schooled students
What is evaluated?
Applicants who meet eligibility requirements will be evaluated by a committee and ranked on the basis of:
Leadership experience and potential
Demonstrated service to others in the community
Commitment to activities and sports throughout high school
GPA (weighted)
The scholarship application will require a written response to a prompt, detailed information about community service, clubs and sports, an academic report, and a personal recommendation.
Application Opens March 1, 2021.
How to apply:
This year’s scholarship recipients
Alivia Giles
Alivia will pursue a biology degree when she begins college in the fall and had this to say about her mom: “My mom has been serving in the military for 33 years and has shown me what it looks like to be courageous, driven, and successful. Although she has traveled a number of times throughout her career and has spent much time away, she has always been there to support every second of my life and I am very grateful for that. As I have witness her diligent service to individuals around the world, she truly motivates and continues to inspire me every day.”
Ethan Goyette
Ethan will pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree this fall and had this to say about his mom: “My mom’s service to our nation gives me tremendous pride and as her son, I am proud to tell people that she is a Marine. She taught me the value of hard work and demonstrated what it means to never give up. She successfully balanced her dedication to the Marine Corps with her devotion to my family and we felt that love and support each and every day. Her commitment to always do the right thing and serve others inspires me to join the service after I graduate college.”