Pat Tillman Scholarship 2027: Average $10,000 for Veterans and Military Spouses

The Pat Tillman Scholarship 2027 opens soon, and it is one of the most respected awards for the military community. The Pat Tillman Foundation will select about 60 Tillman Scholars for the 2027 class, with an average award of $10,000 per academic year toward tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. Applications for the 2027 class open on December 3, 2026. Here is the award, the eligibility rules, and exactly how to apply.

Quick answer: The Pat Tillman Scholarship 2027 gives US military veterans, current service members, and military spouses an average of $10,000 per academic year for full-time study, plus lifelong leadership development. Applications open December 3, 2026 for the 2027-28 academic year, and scholarship listings put the closing deadline at February 1, 2027, so confirm the date on the official page. Apply at pattillmanfoundation.org/apply. Final selection notifications are expected in June 2027.

How Much Is the Pat Tillman Scholarship Worth?

Every selected Tillman Scholar receives an equal, merit-based financial award that can be used for tuition and fees, other academic expenses, and living expenses. Scholars can expect an average award of $10,000 per academic year, with the exact amount set by financial need and educational expenses. The award is a lifetime award, divided equally among the remaining years of the scholar's academic program, and it is paid each year as long as the scholar meets the program's reporting requirements. Since 2008, the Pat Tillman Foundation has invested more than $40 million in academic support and named more than 1,000 Tillman Scholars at 150 academic institutions across the country. The money is only part of the program: scholars join a national network and a leadership development program, and the 2027 class attends a mandatory in-person summit in Chicago from July 14 to 17, 2027.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility for 2027

According to the official Pat Tillman Foundation application page, you are eligible if you:

• Are a US military veteran, a current service member, or a military spouse, including a surviving spouse.
• Plan to enroll full time in an eligible undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at an accredited US-based institution during the 2027-28 academic year.
• Show strong leadership potential, academic achievement, and a commitment to service beyond yourself.
• Can complete a FAFSA and a financial worksheet showing your household budget of expenses and income, including military benefits.

About 60 scholars are selected each year through a rigorous three-month process run by regional committees. Selection is merit-based, and the program looks for people who will lead in medicine, law, business, policy, technology, education, and the arts.

Read Also: Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation 2027: $2,500 to $10,000 a Year
Read Also: How to Get a Full-Ride Scholarship 2027

How to Apply for the Pat Tillman Scholarship

Apply online through the official Pat Tillman Foundation application page at pattillmanfoundation.org/apply. Applications for the 2027 class open on December 3, 2026. The foundation has not yet published a closing deadline for the 2027 class on its official page, and scholarship listings put the deadline at February 1, 2027, matching the 2026 cycle, so join the applicant mailing list on the foundation's site for the confirmed date and do not wait until the last week. You will need a completed FAFSA, a financial worksheet, and application essays showing your leadership and service. Final selection notifications are expected in June 2027, and the 2027 class must attend the leadership summit in Chicago from July 14 to 17, 2027.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Join the mailing list now. The foundation posts deadline updates and information sessions there, and the 2027 closing date is not yet published on its official page.
• Show service beyond yourself. The program's core idea is service, so give concrete examples of how you have led and helped others.
• Prepare your FAFSA and budget early. A completed FAFSA and a financial worksheet are required parts of the application.
• Apply to more scholarships too. Our Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation guide covers another military family award, and our guide to writing a scholarship essay that wins will help with the essays.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Pat Tillman Scholarship open for 2027?
Applications open December 3, 2026, for the 2027-28 academic year. Scholarship listings put the closing deadline at February 1, 2027, but the foundation has not yet published a closing date, so confirm it on pattillmanfoundation.org/apply.

How much money does the Pat Tillman Scholarship give?
An average of $10,000 per academic year, as an equal merit-based award for all selected scholars, usable for tuition, fees, books, and living expenses.

Who is eligible for the Pat Tillman Scholarship?
US military veterans, current service members, and military spouses, including surviving spouses, who plan full-time enrollment in an eligible degree program at an accredited US institution in 2027-28.

How many Tillman Scholars are selected each year?
About 60 scholars are selected each year.

Can military spouses apply for the Tillman Scholarship?
Yes. Military spouses, including surviving spouses, are eligible on the same terms as veterans and service members.

Where do I apply for the Pat Tillman Scholarship?
On the official Pat Tillman Foundation website at pattillmanfoundation.org/apply. Never pay anyone to apply - the application is free.

Related: Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation 2027 · How to Get a Full-Ride Scholarship 2027 · How to Complete the 2027-28 FAFSA Step by Step

Sources: Pat Tillman Foundation official application page (pattillmanfoundation.org/apply; applications open December 3, 2026; final notifications June 2027; summit July 14-17, 2027); Northeastern University Tillman Scholarship listing (deadline February 1, 2027; average award $10,000); Scholarships.com - Pat Tillman Scholarship (deadline February 1, 2027; 60 awards); US Air Force benefits fact sheet (more than $40 million invested since 2008; more than 1,000 scholars). The 2027 closing deadline had not yet been published by the foundation and is stated as a listed date - always confirm the current deadline on the official foundation page before applying. Warning: never pay to apply for a scholarship - legitimate scholarships are always free to apply for.