Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Application Closes March 1: What Families Need to Know

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation's 2026-2027 application window closes March 1, and eligible families of Marines and Navy corpsmen who haven't applied yet are running out of time.

The foundation, established in 1962, describes itself as the nation's oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military children. Unlike most scholarship programs, MCSF awards a scholarship to every applicant who meets its eligibility requirements and submits a complete application by the deadline. There is no selection lottery and no cap on the number of awards.

"We're proud to once again open our application and invite eligible students to begin their journey toward higher education with the support of the MCSF community," said Ted Probert, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel who serves as the foundation's president and CEO.

Who Qualifies

Applicants must be the child of an active duty, reserve or veteran U.S. Marine, or the child of a Navy corpsman, Navy chaplain or religious program specialist who served with a Marine unit. Veterans must have received an honorable discharge. Applicants need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and a family adjusted gross income at or below $129,000 for the 2024 tax year.

The scholarship covers undergraduate degrees at accredited institutions. A separate career and technical education track is available year-round for students pursuing non-degree certificate programs or vocational training.

Children of Marines or Corpsmen 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, which provides up to $10,000 per year and up to $40,000 over four years.

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What Families Receive

The average scholarship is roughly $4,000 per year, renewable for up to four years. Individual awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 depending on financial need, GPA and available funding. In 2025, the foundation awarded 2,886 scholarships totaling more than $12 million.

Since its founding, MCSF has awarded more than 55,000 scholarships valued at over $200 million. Recipients attend schools across all 50 states and 27 overseas locations.

The foundation's outcomes stand out. MCSF scholarship recipients graduate at a 91% rate, compared to the national average of 54%. Half of recipients finish school with little to no debt, versus 33% nationally. Forty-five percent of recipients major in STEM or health science fields.

How to Apply

The application is online at mcsf.org/apply. Required documents include the applicant's transcript showing completed fall 2025 grades and a cumulative GPA, and all pages of the family's 2024 federal tax return. The application must be complete with all documentation submitted by March 1. MCSF does not accept paper applications.

Applicants who received a scholarship in a previous year must reapply each year and continue to meet eligibility requirements. Awards are not automatically renewed. For full eligibility details and required documentation, visit mcsf.org/apply.

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