Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association

Kathern F. Gruber Scholarship Program

Spouses and dependent children of blinded veterans are eligible for the annual Kathern F. Gruber Scholarship Awards to assist them with their higher education tuition. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit through an application process that is evaluated by a committee. Gruber scholarships are for one year only but recipients can reapply and receive the award up to four times. The blinded veteran family member is not required to be a BVA member for the spouse or child to receive a scholarship.

In memory of the late Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jesse Brown, the Disabled American Veterans has established the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program. Mr. Jesse Brown enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1963. Two years later, while on patrol in the DaNang area of Vietnam, Mr. Brown sustained a serious injury due to a gunshot wound while engaged in combat. From that point and over the next 39 years, the lives of millions of veterans changed for the better. Mr. Brown devoted himself to the cause of building better lives for America's disabled veterans.

Mr. Brown joined the Disabled American Veterans professional staff in 1967 as a National Service Officer in Chicago, Il. He moved to Washington, DC in 1973 to supervise the DAV's National Service Office. In 1976, he was promoted to Supervisor of the DAV National Appeals Office at the Board of Veterans Appeals. In 1981, Jesse was appointed to join the National Service and Legislative Headquarters staff as the Chief of Claims.

In 1983, he was named Deputy National Service Director and later served as Executive Assistant to the National Adjutant. Ultimately, Mr. Brown served the DAV as Executive Director of the National Service and Legislative Headquarters in Washington, DC.

In January 1993, Mr. Brown was appointed by President Clinton to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Brown was so committed to the cause of veterans that he earned a new title, he was simply known as the Secretary for Veterans Affairs. In December 1996, President Clinton reappointed Mr. Brown to serve a second four-year term. Mr. Brown resigned as Secretary of Veterans Affairs in July 1997 and began his personal battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Jesse died in August 2002.

The Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program encourages young volunteers to play active roles in the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) programs. It recognizes outstanding young volunteers who give of their time by awarding annual scholarships that may be used to continue their education. The Disabled American Veterans has awarded 87 scholarships worth $578,000 since the inception of the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program in 2000.

All the benefits of service.

MOPH provided over $250,000 in scholarship grants in 2008. These grants went to recent Purple Heart recipients, their spouses and to children and grandchildren of Purple Heart recipients.

NCOA Scholarship Fund

The NCOA Scholarship Fund is one of the most important entities within the Association.  Established in 1970, its single purpose is to help dependents of NCOA members to continue their education beyond high school. To date, the Scholarship Fund has awarded nearly $1.3 million in non-repayable scholarships.

VFW Scholarship Programs

Scholarship Deadlines:
Voice of Democracy-November 1
Patriots' Pen Youth Essay-November 1
Scouting Scholarship-March 1

Every year, hundreds of thousands of students participate in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition and the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest, garnering more than $3.4 million in scholarships and incentives.

In addition, the VFW honors an outstanding scout through the VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship program.

Besides the VFW's outstanding scholarship programs, Posts and Auxiliaries across the nation work with youth in scouting, sports, ROTC and military cadet programs. By providing leaders, funding, sponsorships and other resources, the VFW and its Auxiliaries encourage millions of America's young adults to higher ideals and greater personal achievement.

The Mike Nash Scholarship Fund was established in 1991. Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) established a scholarship program to provide financial assistance to: Vietnam era veterans, dependent children, grandchildren, and orphans and widows of deceased Vietnam veterans, for costs associated with undergraduate studies at accredited educational/technical institutions.

The Women's Army Corps Veterans Association Scholarship has been established to recognize
relatives of Army Service Women.
This scholarship is based upon academic achievement and leadership as expressed through
co-curricular activities and community involvement. A $1500.00 scholarship will be given annually. The
recipient will be notified by mail. The check will be forwarded to the acceptance institution.