USS Bowfin Memorial Scholarship

Funder: Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association (PFSMA) in partnership with Dolphin Scholarship Foundation (DSF)

Program Status: Active, administered by DSF beginning 2025-2026 academic year

Geographic Scope: Hawaii-based service requirement (minimum 2 years of active-duty submarine or submarine support service while permanently assigned to a command based in Hawaii)

Focus Areas: Undergraduate education and vocational/trade certification for qualified submariners and their families

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Be a current or former qualified submariner, OR a U.S. Department of Defense recognized spouse or child of a submariner
• Have served at least six (6) years of active duty in submarine service OR eight (8) years of active duty in submarine support billets (includes Submarine groups/squadrons, training and maintenance facilities, Submarine Tenders, etc.)
• Have completed a minimum of two (2) years of active-duty submarine or submarine support service while permanently assigned to a command based in Hawaii
• All retired or discharged veterans must have received an honorable discharge

Award Details

• Total Funding Available: $50,000 annually
• Renewal Status: Non-renewable, but recipients may reapply each year they are pursuing their first undergraduate degree or vocational certification
• Award Selection: A selection committee determines the number and recipients of awards; Dolphin Scholarship Foundation administers the program
• Additional Opportunities: Applicants may be considered for other scholarships administered by DSF if all eligibility criteria are met

Background

The scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to qualified submariners, spouses, and children seeking undergraduate or vocational/trade education. The program was administered by PFSMA directly before transitioning to DSF administration for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Contact Information

Administrator: Dolphin Scholarship Foundation

Museum Contact: Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum (PFSM), 11 Arizona Memorial Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818-3104

Application Process

Application Window: October 1st through March 15th annually

Administering Organization: Dolphin Scholarship Foundation

Application Method: Apply through Dolphin Scholarship Foundation (specific application details and portal managed by DSF)

Required Materials: Application materials should be submitted to Dolphin Scholarship Foundation during the open window

Note: Detailed step-by-step application instructions, required documents, and online portal information should be obtained directly from the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation website or by contacting them.