Hats Off For Veterans, a Texas-based nonprofit organization committed to supporting U.S. military veterans and their families, will open its 2026 Higher Education Scholarship on February 1. This scholarship is designed to support veterans who are pursuing their first undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree at an accredited college or university and are working to transition successfully from military service to higher education.
For the 2026 academic year, HOFV will award two scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each. While the GI Bill provides critical educational benefits, the HOFV Higher Education Scholarship serves as supplemental financial assistance to help veterans manage additional academic and cost-ofliving expenses that are often not fully covered during their educational journey.
“Education changes lives, and for many veterans, returning to the classroom is both an exciting opportunity and a significant challenge,” said Lisa Adams, CEO of Hats Off For Veterans. “This scholarship is about honoring their service while investing in their future. Our goal is to remove financial barriers so veterans can focus on learning, growing, and building the next chapter of their lives with confidence and purpose.”
Eligible applicants must be United States military veterans who are pursuing their first undergraduate bachelor’s degree, enrolled at least part-time at a college or university, and legal residents of the state of Texas. Applicants are required to submit a copy of their DD-214, proof of Texas residency, and official documentation verifying enrollment or acceptance for the 2026 academic year.
Veterans pursuing associate degrees, graduate or postgraduate studies, second bachelor’s degrees, as well as activeduty service members and spouses or dependents, are not eligible for this scholarship.
Completed applications must be received no later than March 31 by 11:59 PM (CST). Applications may be submitted electronically or mailed as a hard copy, provided they are postmarked by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted or reviewed by the scholarship committee.
Applicants are required to submit a personal essay of no less than 750 words addressing their military service, personal achievements, educational goals, and how the scholarship funds will be used. Essays must be original and may not be generated using artificial intelligence or automated writing tools. Applications are evaluated using a numerical scoring system established by the HOFV Scholarship Committee.
Scholarship recipients will be notified individually and publicly announced on Friday, April 17. Veterans who do not meet the eligibility requirements for the Higher Education Scholarship are encouraged to explore the HOFV Professional Development Grant, which supports workforce training, certifications, and career-advancement opportunities. Full application details and submission instructions are available at HOFV.org.
For additional information or questions regarding the application process, please contact Lisa Adams, CEO, at [email protected] or by phone at 512-682-5333.
