Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation 2027: $2,500–$10,000 for Children of Marines — Deadline March 1

If you are the child of a Marine, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF) 2027 application opens on January 1, 2027 — and it is one of the most generous need-based scholarships in the country. Awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 per academic year, and the foundation's promise is simple: every eligible applicant who submits a complete application by the March 1, 2027 deadline receives a scholarship. There is no selection lottery and no cap on the number of awards. In 2025, the foundation awarded 2,886 scholarships totaling more than $12 million. Here is who qualifies and how to apply.

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Quick answer: The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation awards $2,500, $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000 per academic year (average about $4,000) to children of Marines and of Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, and Religious Program Specialists who served with Marine units. The undergraduate application is open January 1 through March 1, 2027 at mcsf.org/apply. You need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and a family adjusted gross income of $134,000 or less (tax year 2025) for the 2027–28 cycle. Awards are renewable for up to four years by reapplying each year.

Who Is Eligible?

Founded in 1962, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation describes itself as the nation's oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military children. To qualify for the undergraduate scholarship, you must be:

  • The child of a U.S. Marine, or the child of a Navy Corpsman, Chaplain, or Religious Program Specialist who served with a Marine unit.
  • A high school senior or current undergraduate planning to attend an accredited college or university, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
  • From a family with an adjusted gross income of $134,000 or less for tax year 2025 (the threshold for the 2027–28 application).

Children of Marines who were killed in action, wounded in action, or medically retired due to service-related injuries may qualify for the foundation's Heroes Tribute program: children of the fallen receive guaranteed scholarships totaling $30,000 over four years, and children of the wounded may receive up to $40,000 over four years.

How Much Is the Award?

Scholarship award levels are $2,500, $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000 per academic year, based on financial need, GPA, and available funding. The average scholarship is roughly $4,000 per year. Awards are paid directly to your institution for tuition, fees, room and board, books, transportation, and other school-defined costs. Awards do not renew automatically — you must reapply each year, and you can receive up to four paid awards. The award acceptance deadline is November 1.

Career and Technical Education Track

If you are heading to a non-degree certificate program or vocational training instead of a four-year degree, the foundation's Career & Technical Education (CTE) program is for you. It offers up to $10,000, the application is open year-round, and — like the undergraduate program — it is not competitive: all eligible applicants receive support. The CTE application for the current cycle closes June 30, 2027.

How to Apply

Apply online at mcsf.org/apply between January 1 and March 1, 2027. The application must be complete, with all required documentation submitted, by March 1 — the foundation does not accept paper applications, and applications with missing or incorrect documents are considered ineligible. Start gathering your documents in December: your parent's service documentation, tax information showing family income, your transcript, and any required forms. Because every eligible applicant receives an award, the main risk is not competition — it is an incomplete application. Submit early and confirm that every document uploaded correctly.

More Military Family Scholarships to Stack With MCSF

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation deadline for 2027?
March 1, 2027. The undergraduate application opens January 1, 2027, and must be complete with all documentation by March 1. The CTE track closes June 30, 2027.

How much does the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation award?
$2,500, $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000 per academic year, based on financial need, GPA, and funding. The average award is about $4,000 a year, renewable for up to four years by reapplying annually.

Who qualifies for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation?
Children of Marines and of Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, and Religious Program Specialists who served with Marine units, with a GPA of at least 2.0 and family income of $134,000 or less (tax year 2025) for the 2027–28 cycle.

Does everyone who applies get a scholarship?
Every applicant who meets the eligibility requirements and submits a complete application by the deadline receives an award — there is no cap and no lottery. Incomplete applications are the main reason students miss out.

What is the Heroes Tribute program?
Children of Marines killed in action receive guaranteed scholarships totaling $30,000 over four years; children of Marines wounded in action or medically retired may receive up to $40,000 over four years.

Where do I apply?
Online at mcsf.org/apply. The application is free — never pay anyone to apply for a scholarship.

Related: How to Complete the 2027–28 FAFSA · No-Essay Scholarships 2027 · Gilman Scholarship 2027

Sources: Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation — Scholarship FAQs (mcsf.org/apply/scholarship-faqs): 2027–28 income threshold $134,000 (tax year 2025), application window January 1 – March 1, award levels $2,500–$10,000; Military.com — MCSF application closes March 1 (2,886 scholarships, $12M+ in 2025). Always confirm current eligibility and deadlines on mcsf.org before applying. Warning: never pay to apply for a scholarship — legitimate scholarships are always free to apply for.

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