Who is eligible for the scholarships?

All dependent children, age 24 and under (as of the 5/15/08 application deadline), and all spouses of active-duty U.S. military service personnel are eligible to apply for scholarships with ThanksUSA®.

ThanksUSA defines "Active-duty U.S. military personnel" as those who have served in active duty for at least 180 days since 9/11/01, including all those who have been killed or wounded in action. "U.S. military personnel" are defined as members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Members of the military reserves who have been activated to full-time duty and members of the National Guard who have been federalized and who otherwise meet the requirements are both eligible.

Dependent children are defined as natural and legally adopted children or stepchildren living in the military service member's household and/or primarily supported financially by the service member.

Applicants must plan to enroll full-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, vocational school or technical school. They must also have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent on their relevant academic record (e.g., high-school record for incoming freshmen or post-secondary school record for those already enrolled in a college, university or vocational/technical school).

Awardees are required to comply with all academic and institutional rules, regulations and guidelines and to abide by all governing laws. Awardees who do not attend, who drop out or who are expelled will forfeit their grant. Further, awards will not be deferred for any reason. However, eligible applicants may apply in subsequent years if ThanksUSA is offering the same scholarship program at that point.

What are the criteria for the awards?

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of financial need, academic record and demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities. Preference will be given to children or spouses of service personnel killed or injured during active duty.

How much are the awards?

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive an award of $3,000. Payments are made in two equal installments on August 15 and December 30.

How many scholarships will be awarded this year?

ThanksUSA plans to award 500 scholarships this year.

Can I use the award for graduate study?

The awards are for undergraduate study at accredited two-year or four-year college, university, vocational school or technical school only and NOT for graduate study.

What are the important deadlines to keep in mind?

The scholarship application period began on April 1, 2008, and the postmark deadline is May 15, 2008, or until 3,000 applications are received (whichever occurs first). If 3,000 applications are received before May 15, 2008, then a notice will be posted on the home page of this site.

Recipients will be informed during July, 2008, that they have been awarded a scholarship. More specific information will be provided at that time related to the timing of award payments and other matters.

How does the application process work?

Applicants are required to submit a completed application, including transcripts plus evidence of active military duty to verify eligibility (e.g., a Statement of Service, a letter or written statement from the Personnel Department or the Commanding Officer, a copy of Duty Orders, a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty or a DD 214). Do NOT send in a copy of your military I.D.

• Please print and complete the PDF formatted application. Note that illegible applications will be deemed ineligible and will not be processed.
• Completed applications, mailed in one envelope, are due on or before May 15, 2008, and only the first 3,000 received will be accepted. Scholarship America WILL NOT be able to match up proof of military duty and/or transcripts to applications if they are sent in separate envelopes.

The completed application and the eligibility verification document should be mailed to:

ThanksUSA Scholarship Program
Scholarship America
c/o Shellee Hintz
One Scholarship Way
P.O. Box 297
Saint Peter, MN 56082

How do I learn more about these Scholarships?

If you have questions filling out the application, please call Scholarship Management Services at (507) 931-0408.