MVGSP Requirements & Guidelines

Supporting the men and women who served our country as they pursue careers in the geosciences.

Guidelines For Application

MVGSP Grant Recipient

Military Veterans Geoscience Scholarship applications are accepted February 1 – April 30. Scholarship amounts range from $5,000 to $10,000 per student, per year, based on merit, financial need, and number of applications.

  • The scholarship levels are: $5,000 (part-time students) and $10,000 (full-time students).
  • A maximum of $10,000 may be awarded per student per year.
  • Grant recipients may re-apply the following year without restrictions.
  • A student may receive a scholarship twice in total.
  • Amounts and numbers of awards may vary based on fund earnings and spending rate.

Scholarships are available to both active U.S. military service members (including National Guard and Reserve) or veteran members separated from active military service who have been honorably discharged, and are entering or re-entering a post-secondary undergraduate program in a field of geoscience full time or part time. Eligibility also includes military dependents (spouses and children) for the following categories: deceased, disabled, active and veteran.

MVGSP Grant Recipient

Scholarship Restrictions

Scholarship funds must be used for costs associated with attendance including tuition, fees, books and eligible living expenses. Eligible living expenses include mortgage or rent, property taxes, interest, insurance, maintenance, repairs, gas, electric, water, heating oil, garbage collection, residential telephone service, cell phone service, internet service, food, computer hardware and school-related software.

Required Materials

Applicants must:

  1. Provide proof of military service by submitting one of the following documents:
    • DD Form 214 (Preferred)
    • DD Form 215
    • DD Form 256
    • NGB Form 22 or NGB Form 22A
    • Current VA issued ID card for health care, veteran's ID card
    • Other active, official military order forms from the personnel or human resources division for your respective branch of service.
  2. If you are a veteran dependent, you must provide one of the above documents, plus proof of relationship: marriage certificate, birth certificate or DEERS sponsorship.
  3. Provide official or unofficial transcripts showing a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
  4. Provide proof of enrollment or acceptance for enrollment to an eligible post-secondary geoscience undergraduate degree program at an accredited four-year college or university.
  5. Describe financial need acknowledging that if awarded, funds will be used for educational needs or "cost of attendance" for the pursuit of the geoscience undergraduate degree.
  6. Write a career goal statement (250–500 words) including a description of geoscience career goals and how this scholarship will help you achieve those goals.
  7. Include 1–4 letter(s) of recommendation from a military supervisor, former teacher, mentor, professor or academic advisor.
MVGSP Grant Recipient

Final applicants will be chosen based on the strength of six aspects:

  1. Academic record
  2. Civic involvement
  3. Work and leadership experience
  4. Geoscience suitability
  5. Career statement
  6. Recommendation letter

Support Our Veterans

Donations to the Military Veterans Scholarship Program fund directly support service members and veterans building new careers in the geosciences.

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