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Scholarship funding can help Veterans answer the call to serve in a new way: educating the next generation.
The Scholarship America Veteran Scholarship for Educators offers renewable awards of up to $10,000 annually to Veterans pursuing careers in K-12 education.
Teachers are in short supply in the United States. About 1 in 8 teaching positions nationally are either unfilled or filled by teachers without full certification for their assignments, according to research conducted by the Learning Policy Institute. States most commonly report shortages in special education, science and math.
For school leaders and their communities, vacancies can leave students without consistent, high-quality instruction. For Veterans considering their next mission, these shortages represent an opportunity to bring their skills and experience to schools that need them.
Veterans bring proven strengths to the classroom
Veterans could help fill that gap, and research suggests their military experience can help prepare them for teaching. A study conducted by Old Dominion University researchers and published in NASSP Bulletin in 2015 found that principals considered teachers prepared through the Troops to Teachers program highly effective, with 92% affirming that the Veterans teaching in their schools were well prepared to meet learners’ needs.
More recently, qualitative research published in the Journal of Veterans Studies in 2025 explored how military experience can shape classroom teaching. The case study examined a Troops to Teachers participant who transitioned from Coast Guard service to teaching middle school science. Researchers suggested that his military experience helped him reflect on his teaching and adjust his approach to support student learning.
The Veteran, who is not named in the research, described teaching as a natural continuation of his Coast Guard service.
“I thought to myself, ‘What did I enjoy about my past four years? What do I feel comfortable doing? And what do I feel comfortable doing for a lifetime?’ And it was staring me in the face the whole time––teaching. That’s all you’ve been doing, day in and day out, taking people that show up, teaching them how to do stuff, running trainings,” he was quoted as saying.
Funding for your path to teaching
The Scholarship America Veteran Scholarship for Educators provides scholarships of up to $10,000 annually to Veterans pursuing careers in K-12 education. Awards may be renewed for up to four additional years or until recipients earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree, whichever comes first. Recipients receiving the maximum annual award could receive up to $50,000 over five years, subject to renewal requirements.
This scholarship program also recognizes that not every Veteran will follow a traditional route into the classroom. Funding is also available for state-approved alternative pathways to teaching certification. Award amounts vary by program and enrollment status.
To be eligible to apply, Veterans must be pursuing a degree or state-approved certificate to become a teacher, school-based counselor, psychologist or social worker in the K-12 school system. Additional eligibility requirements apply.
Applications will be accepted through 3 p.m. Central on Dec. 14, 2026. If you feel called to a career in education, review the eligibility requirements and apply today. All applicants will be notified of their application results in February 2027.
Additional scholarships for Veterans and military-connect students
Scholarship America offers additional resources for Veterans and military-connected students seeking financial support to continue their education. Explore its scholarships and resources for Veterans and military-connected students to learn about opportunities, including the BRAVO Law Scholarship from DLA Piper, the Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship and Emergency Grants, the Hunt Military Communities Foundation Scholarship Program and the Military Commanders’ Scholarship Fund.
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