Since its inception in 2003, Patriot Foundation has utilized donations from corporate partners, private foundations, and individual donors to fund scholarships to our military communities throughout the country. In 2020, Patriot Foundation and the North Carolina State Legislature entered into a public/private partnership. It was one of the first of its kind. The allocations from the State Legislature allow Patriot Foundation to increase its scholarship support of North Carolina military families attending North Carolina post-secondary institutions.
Patriot Foundation currently administers two scholarship programs using North Carolina state and federal funds.
The Star Scholarship program is funded annually through the NC State Legislature.
Star Scholarships are available to the children and spouses of fallen or disabled veterans, children of injured active-duty service members, as well as qualifying disabled veterans. Applicants must be NC residents accepted to or attending NC post-secondary institutions. Disabled veterans, as scholarship sponsor or scholarship applicant, must have a VA disability rating of at least 50%. To view the scholarship program’s eligibility requirements and learn more about the application process, see below.
Star Scholarship Amount: Approximately $2,000.00 per semester.
Funds may be used to cover up to the cost of attendance. Applicants must have qualifying expenses not met by other grants, stipends, or scholarships.
Eligible institutions include any of the following:
The Recovery Scholarship Program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act with the goal of easing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a need-based scholarship that includes specific household income requirements. The American Rescue Plan Act, a federal program, allocated funds to North Carolina, which in turn granted funds to Patriot Foundation.
Due to the timelines set forth for this federally funded program, the Recovery Program is not accepting new applicants beyond the Spring 2025 application cycle. It will continue to support existing recipients through the conclusion of the program with Spring 2027 awards, or until degree completion, whichever comes first. Existing recipients must continue to meet the program's eligibility criteria and reapply each academic year. The Recovery Program will conclude in December 2026 with Spring 2027 awards.
Recovery Scholarships are available to the children and spouses of fallen or disabled veterans, children of injured active-duty service members, as well as qualifying disabled veterans. Applicants must be NC residents accepted to or attending NC post-secondary institutions. Disabled veterans must have a VA disability rating of at least 50%. Household income must be less than 350% of the federal poverty level. Federal poverty guidelines can be found HERE. The scholarship program’s eligibility requirements can be found below.
Recovery Scholarship Amount: Up to $6,500 per semester
Funds may be used to cover up to the cost of attendance. Applicants must have qualifying expenses not met by other grants, stipends, or scholarships.
Eligible institutions include any of the following:
Applicants will use the link below to access the application to apply for scholarship consideration.
Applications are processed using the secure and trusted Submittable platform, so applicants’ sensitive information remains safe and confidential.
Application Deadlines
2025-2026 Application Cycle* | April 1, 2025 – May 15, 2025
*The NC Patriot Star Family Recovery Scholarship Program is no longer accepting new applicants. New applicants for the 2025-2026 application cycle will be considered for assistance through the NC Patriot Star Family Scholarship Program. There will be a limited number of scholarships available from the NC Patriot Star Family Scholarship Program for the 2025-2026 award cycle.
Questions: Contact the Scholarship Administrator at sc**********@***************on.org.
Select your relationship to the service member or veteran below to view the specific eligibility requirements.
Star And Recovery Program Requirements:
Recovery Program Requirements In Addition To Above:
Joanna
“I never got the chance to know my father. My father, CW3 Christopher Michael Allgaier, was killed in action on May 30, 2007 when I was only three years old. After the tragedy, my family remained in Fayetteville, NC, which put us approximately 30 minutes away from Fort Bragg. Due to this close proximity to such a prominent military base, many of my academic peers were consequently children of Army soldiers just like me, however, the largest difference between them and me lay in the fact that their parent was alive, and mine wasn’t. On the rare occasion I met another child of a fallen soldier, I cherished the shared connection, but these instances of comradery were few and far between
compared to the number of times I’ve been made to feel isolated in my status at school. Continuously witnessing soldier homecomings, attending the mandatory Veterans Day assemblies, and being singled out as an example of the tragedies of war within my social studies lesson slowly manifested a feeling of total loneliness. None of my classmates shared my experience, and I simply existed as a cautionary tale of what could happen to my classmates, but their fear was my reality. After years and years of wallowing in my own pity, it took me longer than I care to admit to realize that I am definitely not alone, and scholarships like that of Patriot Foundation Scholarship prove just that.
To me, this scholarship means that my family, and families like us, aren’t alone. After an entire lifetime of living under a single parent with the impression that none of my friends understood my struggle, I have now been presented with a multitude of opportunities and connections to those who know exactly what it’s like to be in my shoes and seek to help me. Such an influx of support generates a plethora of gratitude and comfort from my family as I venture further into my academic future through admission to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. My progress would not be possible without not only the financial support, but also the communal support that comes with opportunities like that of this scholarship. I’m not alone, and I never truly was, thanks to scholarships such as that of the Patriot Foundation Scholarship.”
For questions or more information email us at sc**********@***************on.org.
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