WHO MAY APPLY
The Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance to United States armed forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, and their spouses, sons, or daughters who are current high school seniors, and are full-time and part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled in an eligible accredited Maryland postsecondary institution.
HOW TO APPLY
Initial applicants for the scholarship must submit the Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship application, with all required documentation, which includes:
• A completed Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship application form; • A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filed by March 1 each year;
• If a son or daughter of a veteran, a birth certificate showing the names of both parents; • If a spouse of a veteran, a marriage certificate;
• Documentation of military orders:
• United States Armed Forces - Active Duty: copy of current official military orders: documentation of service in Afghanistan/Iraq
• United States Armed Forces - Veteran: copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)
• United States Armed Forces - Reserve Component: copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) • Maryland National Guard: copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)
Note: DD-214 form must include dates served and where served (Afghanistan/Iraq or contiguous waters or air space). If information is not on the DD-214, other official documentation must be provided with dates and places as listed above.
WHEN TO APPLY
Complete and file the Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship application and a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
UNIQUE POPULATIONS
ELIGIBLE MAJORS
All majors are eligible.
ELIGIBILIT Y REQUIREMENTS
Uniformed Services Members of the United States who served in Afghanistan, or contiguous air space as defined in federal regulations, on or after October 24, 2001, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the United States Secretary of Defense; or in Iraq, or contiguous waters or air space as defined in federal regulations, on or after March 19, 2003, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the United States Secretary of Defense, may apply for a scholarship if they are:
• A veteran who served at least 60 days in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, as defined above;
• An active duty member of the Armed Forces who served at least 60 days in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, as defined above; • A member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States or the Maryland National Guard who was activated
as a result of the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts and served at least 60 days, as defined above; or • A son, daughter, or spouse of:
• a veteran or active duty member of the Armed Forces who is serving or has served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts at least 60 days, as defined above; or
• a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces or Maryland National Guard who was activated as a result of the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts and served at least 60 days, as defined above.
Applicants must be residents of Maryland, must be accepted for admission or enrolled in a regular undergraduate program at an eligible Maryland institution, or accepted for admission or enrolled in a 2-year terminal certificate program in which the course work is acceptable for transfer credit for an accredited baccalaureate program at an eligible Maryland institution, and must be enrolled as either a full-time (12 or more credits per semesters) or part-time (6-11 credits per semester)
undergraduate student. Note: Residents of Maryland include active members of the United States Armed Forces, their spouses and their dependent children who are stationed in the State of Maryland or whose home of residency is Maryland.
AWARD AMOUNT
The annual award may not exceed 50% of the equivalent annual tuition and mandatory fees and room and board of a resident undergraduate at a four-year public institution of higher education within the University System of Maryland, other than the University of Maryland University College and University of Maryland, Baltimore, with the highest annual expenses for a full- time resident undergraduate.
Scholarships awarded under this program shall supplement any federal education benefits for which a recipient qualifies as a result of an individual’s military service or status as a dependent of a member of the armed forces or of a veteran of the armed forces. The funds may be used at any eligible Maryland institution to pay for educational expenses including tuition and mandatory fees, and room and board.
RENEWING AN AWARD
You may renew your award for an additional four years or until your bachelor’s degree is awarded, whichever occurs first. You must file a renewal FAFSA by March 1, maintain the satisfactory academic progress standards of the institution you will attend and remain enrolled in an eligible program.