The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation’s application period for 2026-2027 ends on March 1. Eligible families of Marines and Navy corpsmen are encouraged to apply before the deadline.
Established in 1962, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is described as the nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships for military children. Every applicant who meets eligibility criteria and submits a complete application by the deadline is awarded a scholarship, without a selection lottery or cap on awards.
Ted Probert, the foundation’s president and CEO, stated, “We’re proud to once again open our application and invite eligible students to begin their journey toward higher education with the support of the MCSF community.”
Applicants must be children of U.S. Marines or Navy corpsmen, chaplains, or religious program specialists who served with Marine units. Veterans must have been honorably discharged. Criteria include a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and a family adjusted gross income of $129,000 or less for the 2024 tax year.
The scholarship supports undergraduate degrees at accredited institutions. A separate track is open year-round for career and technical education for non-degree certificate programs or vocational training.
The Heroes Tribute program offers up to $10,000 annually for up to $40,000 over four years, supporting children of Marines or corpsmen killed in action, wounded in action, or medically retired due to service-related injuries.
The average scholarship is about $4,000 per year, renewable for up to four years. Awards range from $2,500 to $10,000, based on financial need, GPA, and available funds. In 2025, 2,886 scholarships amounting to over $12 million were awarded.
Since its founding, the foundation has provided over 55,000 scholarships totaling more than $200 million. Recipients attend institutions across all 50 states and 27 overseas locations.
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation recipients have a 91% graduation rate, compared to the national average of 54%. Half graduate with little to no debt, versus 33% nationally, and 45% major in STEM or health science fields.
The online application is available at mcsf.org/apply, requiring the applicant’s transcript with completed fall 2025 grades and a cumulative GPA, plus all pages of the family’s 2024 federal tax return. Applications must be completed and submitted by March 1, and the foundation does not accept paper applications.
Past scholarship recipients must reapply each year and continue meeting eligibility requirements, as awards are not automatically renewed. For full eligibility details and required documents, visit mcsf.org/apply.
