Hope For The Warriors®, as part of its effort to ensure that the sacrifices of servicemen and women and their families are not forgotten nor their needs unmet, awards scholarships to US military spouses of wounded Service members and Fallen Warriors as defined below. The purpose of the scholarships is to identify, recognize and reward exceptional spouses for their strength, fidelity and resolve despite adversity and to aid in their continued education at a reputable, accredited college or trade school as they assume critical roles in the financial well being of their families.

Scholarship awards are $5,000 to be made co-payable to the scholarship recipient's institution for payment of tuition, books and supplies and may be reapplied for up to four years for a maximum of $20,000. The application process is the same for new applicants and renewals.

Five total awards will be given. The winners of The Shannon Maxwell Award, The Bonnie Amos Award, The Karin Dickerson Award and The Robin Kelleher - New Beginnings Award, the last of which is awarded specifically to the spouse of a KIA, will each receive $5,000.

Additionally this spring, at the request of Mr. Ivins “Itchy” Popkin, a fifth scholarship, The Sidney Popkin Memorial Scholarship, in memory of his brother Sidney Popkin, will be awarded. Nicknamed “The Bull”, Sidney was an entrepreneur and longtime owner of Boomtown Furniture in Jacksonville, NC, who believed in taking care of family, pursuing dreams and helping your fellow man. This $1,250 award memorializes the values he held dear.

Selection Process:
Applicants must complete and submit the attached application/certification forms along with proof of service, proof of injury/death, original essay, two-page questionnaire and two letters of recommendation. Incomplete packages will not be accepted. Incomplete packages received before the deadline will be mailed back to individual with checklist to ensure the proper documents can be added and resubmitted before deadline. Updated documents that are received after deadline has expired will not be accepted.

Applicants will be selected for scholarship award recommendation based on their eligibility, their commitment to succeed as indicated by academic achievement, personal goals, letters of recommendation and resume, and their original essay response. Scholarship award recommendations and final selection will be at the discretion of the Hope For The Warriors® Scholarship Committee. Applicant anonymity will be preserved during the selection process. All members of the Scholarship committee are ineligible for scholarships.

Did you know as a spouse? ...if your service member has not retired or separated before Aug 1, 2009 you might be eligible to use his GI Bill. Please read the following link to learn more...Post 9/11 GI Bill