As a result of the terrorists' attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the MOAA Scholarship Fund established the American Patriot Scholarship to help children of uniformed services personnel-officers and enlisted- who died while in Active service as a member of the Regular, Guard or Reserve Forces.
"We believe this is an effective way MOAA can help those families who have been and will continue to be affected by the loss of a parent while serving in our Armed Forces," says MOAA President Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret.
The amount and number of grants awarded to students is based on the amount of money raised each year. Because of our generous donors, over 45 students whose parent died while in Active service or were severely wounded are receiving a $5,000 grant for the 2019-2020 school year. Each student is eligible to receive the American Patriot Scholarship for up to five years of undergraduate study at an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university of their choice, but will be at least $2,500.
To qualify, a student must be a child of a member of the Uniformed Services who died while in Active service or was severely wounded (as defined as Traumatic SGLI). They must be under the age of 24 at the time of application. The maximum age for students who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces before completing college will be increased by the number of years served, for up to five years of service or 29 years of age. Applications are accepted on our Web site beginning early November through NOON (EST) 1 March each year.
The MOAA Scholarship Fund is a non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in Virginia and declared tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its tax identification number is 54-1659039. All administrative and overhead costs of the MOAA Scholarship Fund are borne by MOAA therefore, 100 percent of every donation goes directly to the undergraduate education of the sons and daughters of military families.