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Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship: up to $5,000 for tuition (VFW)

VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)

FundingOpen

Check current terms: Individual eligibility, seats and coverage must be confirmed with the provider.

Dates and availability: Status evidence: The VFW Student Veteran Support page says applications for the spring semester are accepted Aug. 1 through Nov. 15, and applications for the fall semester Jan. 1 through April 30. Application window: Spring semester: Aug 1 to Nov 15 (current window closes Nov 15, 2026). Fall semester: Jan 1 to Apr 30. Apply online only. Availability limits: One scholarship per family per semester. The number of awards depends on funds raised by Sport Clips' annual Help A Hero fundraiser. Next start: Spring 2027 semester (awards announced in January); next fall window opens Jan 1, 2027.

Credential
ScholarshipUp to $5,000 toward tuition and fees

Before you decide

What is free
Free-to-apply scholarship of up to $5,000 for tuition and fees, paid directly to the school.
Costs or benefits needed
Free to apply. Regular price: $0. Veteran price: $0. Awards of up to $5,000 go toward tuition and fees only and are paid directly to your school, not to you. Books, internet and other education costs are not covered. The scholarship must be used by the end of the semester you applied for.
Who qualifies
U.S. citizens who are retired, honorably discharged, active duty, or members of the National Guard or Reserve; have completed Basic Training and follow-on training (AIT, tech school, etc.); separated with or currently hold a rank of E-5 or below; can show financial need; and are participating in, accepted to or enrolled in a VA-approved program or school at an accredited postsecondary institution. You do not need to have deployed. You can apply once you are accepted, even before you enroll in classes.
What you get
A scholarship of up to $5,000 toward tuition and fees for veterans and service members who served (or serve) at rank E-5 or below and show financial need. The VFW pays your school directly. Apply by Nov 15 for the spring semester or Jan 1 to Apr 30 for the fall semester.
Credential and key limits
No certification. Up to $5,000 scholarship toward tuition and fees, paid directly to the school.
Format
Online application only (no printable version). The award is paid directly to your school for tuition and fees.
Duration
One semester per award; you can apply again each semester.
Location
Nationwide: use it at any accredited postsecondary school with a VA-approved program.
Deadline
Status evidence: The VFW Student Veteran Support page says applications for the spring semester are accepted Aug. 1 through Nov. 15, and applications for the fall semester Jan. 1 through April 30. Application window: Spring semester: Aug 1 to Nov 15 (current window closes Nov 15, 2026). Fall semester: Jan 1 to Apr 30. Apply online only. Availability limits: One scholarship per family per semester. The number of awards depends on funds raised by Sport Clips' annual Help A Hero fundraiser.
Next start
Spring 2027 semester (awards announced in January); next fall window opens Jan 1, 2027.
Stipend / housing / travel
Up to $5,000 per award, paid to the school for tuition and fees only.
Notes
Run by the VFW with Sport Clips Haircuts and Student Veterans of America; awards are funded by Sport Clips' annual Help A Hero fundraiser. You need a current FAFSA Student Aid Report for the school year you are applying for; if your FAFSA was denied aid you are not eligible. Active duty, Guard and Reserve members without a DD-214 send a statement of service (including any deployments) from their commanding officer. In an apprenticeship or certification program that does not follow semesters? Email HelpAHero@vfw.org before applying. You may apply once per semester, whether or not you were awarded before.
Availability
Open
Details checked
2026-11-02

Application and credential details

How to apply
  1. Get your current FAFSA Student Aid Report for the school year you are applying for.
  2. Open the VFW Help A Hero application portal, sign up with your email, and apply online by Nov 15, 2026 for the spring 2027 semester.
  3. Provide your DD-214 (or, if you are still serving, a statement of service from your commanding officer, including any deployments) and list the school you plan to attend.
Documents to prepare
  • Current FAFSA Student Aid Report
  • DD-214, or a commanding officer's statement of service if active duty, Guard or Reserve
Additional requirements and limits
  • U.S. citizen; rank E-5 or below; completed Basic and follow-on training.
  • Financial need shown on your FAFSA.
  • Tuition and fees only, paid to the school; one award per family per semester.
Application link
Open official application page
Credential or outcome
No certification. Up to $5,000 scholarship toward tuition and fees, paid directly to the school.
Application details checked
2026-11-02
Application review status
Official-source review completed
Sources for these details
Availability checked
2026-11-02
Current availability
Open: spring 2027 semester applications are accepted through Nov 15, 2026
Status evidence
The VFW Student Veteran Support page says applications for the spring semester are accepted Aug. 1 through Nov. 15, and applications for the fall semester Jan. 1 through April 30.
Application window
Spring semester: Aug 1 to Nov 15 (current window closes Nov 15, 2026). Fall semester: Jan 1 to Apr 30. Apply online only.
Award timing
Spring semester scholarships are awarded in January; fall semester scholarships are awarded in August. The VFW notifies every applicant of its decision.
Availability limits
One scholarship per family per semester. The number of awards depends on funds raised by Sport Clips' annual Help A Hero fundraiser.
Timing sources
View official programBack to the program finder

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