The Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship program honors not only those who have fallen in battle, but all who have died or have become disabled through their active military service since September 11, 2001.
The application period for the 2025-2026 academic year will open on December 11, 2024 and close on February 12, 2025.
The program is open to their dependent unmarried children under age 23. A disability is defined as one that results in the service member being eligible for, and receiving, Traumatic Service members' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) or a permanent and total disability compensation rating of 100%.
The scholarship grants for this special program are underwritten by the author's after-tax proceeds from the book "Of Thee I Sing. A Letter to My Daughters" written by President Barack Obama, as well as corporate sponsorships and private donations. The amount to be awarded each year depends on the amount of royalties, sponsorships and other donations designated for this program.
You may also visit our scholarship search engine for more scholarship opportunities.
Who Can Apply?
Dependent unmarried children under age 23 of active-duty personnel, Reserve/Guard, retired service members and *disabled service members OR survivors of service members who died while on active duty may apply if they meet one of the following additional criteria:
- One of the parents died while serving on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 in any branch or component of the US Armed Forces
- *One of the parents, while serving on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, became disabled - meaning that the parent qualified for receipt of Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI)
- *One of the parents, who was on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, received a permanent and total compensation rating of 100% from the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Only students who possess a valid (not expired) U.S. Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card or a DOD dependent ID:
- Applicants must enroll or plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate program leading to a bachelor’s degree or a community/junior college designed to allow for a direct transfer into a four-year program.
- High school applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 basis)
- College applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
How Do I Apply?
The Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship Program expects the student to complete the application themselves and they must attest to this when submitting the application.
- Create an account which you can later come back to.
- Complete all tabs of the form – a green checkmark indicates completion.
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Submit dates of sponsor’s service
- DD1300 OR DD214
- Reapplicants will receive a letter in the mail prior to mid-December with a 9-digit code allowing them to skip re-submitting these forms. Recipients who plan to reapply the following year and have a home address change should notify Scholarship Managers as soon as their new address is available.
- Submit documents that verify the death, eligibility to receive Traumatic Service Members Group Life Insurance (TSLGI), or disability of the sponsor
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Submit transcripts
- High school applicants – transcript indicating a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
- College applicants – transcript indicating a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
- College freshmen should submit a transcript for the qualifying semester they have completed.
- Have sponsor or parent/guardian digitally sign application online
All applicants will be notified of their status in June.
