Dear Applicant,

Hope For The Warriors® Scholarships were created in response to the sacrifices of U.S. military service members in the Global War on Terror and the desire to provide their spouses or caregivers with the opportunity to pursue postsecondary higher education to assist them in maintaining the financial well-being of their families. As such, Hope For The Warriors® Scholarships are open only to legal spouses or caregivers of U.S. military service members who were wounded/injured or killed while serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation New Dawn.

We want to thank you for your family’s dedicated service to the United States Armed Forces and invite you to complete the Scholarship application packet below and mail it to:

Hope For The Warriors® Scholarship
5101C Backlick Rd.
Annandale, VA 22003

All complete applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, October 18, 2013. Scholarship recipients will be notified in writing no later than November 30, 2013. If you have not received a letter by December 5, 2013, you have not been awarded a scholarship.

Good Luck,

Brian F. Schiller, MBA,MPA
Senior Director, Employment & Education
Hope For The Warriors®
Spouse/Caregiver Scholarships scholarships@hopeforthewarriors.org Applicant Eligibility/Requirements

Applicants must provide proof of status as a legal spouse or caregiver of a U.S. military service member who was wounded/injured or killed while serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn. 1. Provide one of the following documents showing proof of status:
Active duty: A copy of the service member’s most recent LES or a copy of current orders along with copy of marriage certificate/license.
Retired or Discharged: Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD 214) along with copy of marriage certificate/license.
Killed In Action: Report of Casualty (DD 1300) along with copy of marriage certificate/license.

*In lieu of the marriage certificate/license requirement, Caregivers who are not spouses must submit a notarized document showing proof of guardianship or documentation naming the applicant as the designated Caregiver enrolled in either the VA Caregiver Support program or the Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL) program.
2. Provide one of the following documents showing proof of injury:
Physical Evaluation Board Proceedings (DD 199)
VA Eligibility Letter
Purple Heart certificate or citation
Official Letter from Military Chain of Command or VA Care Coordinator
3. Provide proof of U.S. residency
4. Provide proof of application to an accredited college or trade school for the upcoming school year, in pursuit of an Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or vocational program certification.
5. Provide proof of satisfactory academic progress: most recent unofficial transcript (high school or college) showing a 2.6 overall GPA based on a 4.0 (or similar) scale. GED Certificate with a minimum score of 650 will also be accepted.
6. Provide two original letters of recommendation - one must be completed by an education or business professional or employer/volunteer coordinator/supervisor. Only letters of recommendation accompanying the application package will be accepted. Each letter must be in a sealed envelope – author must sign along the seal.
7. Submit an original typed, double-spaced essay, with no more than 500 words concerning this topic:
“Describe how this scholarship will impact your ability to complete your degree.” Please include the question at the top of your essay. Please omit your name and other identifiable information such as branch of service, military unit, deployment specifics, etc.

8. Fill out the two-page questionnaire (pages 5 and 6) completely (included in the application).