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Veteran Education Living Stipend (VELS)

NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION INC

Foundation Semi-annual Grants for VeteransGrants for Education
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Funding Amount

$2,500 - $5,000

Deadline

June 30, 2026

83 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Veteran Education Living Stipend (VELS)

Overview: Financial support for veterans to cover living expenses while pursuing full-time educational programs when no additional scholarship funds are needed.

Geographic Scope: United States

Eligibility:

  • SEAL Veterans

  • SWCC Veterans

  • Must be enrolled in full-time education programs

  • Eligible to apply once per calendar year

  • May receive either NSF scholarship OR VELS stipend annually, not both

    • Award Details:

  • Amount: $2,500 – $5,000 based on family size

  • Designed to support living expenses for full-time students

  • Merit-based awards with varying amounts

  • Non-transferrable awards

  • If awarded, applicants have up to one year to use funds; unused funds returned to NSF

    • Application Cycles:

  • Cycle One: Opens Tuesday, January 6, 2026 and closes promptly at 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 17, 2026

  • Cycle Two: Opens Monday, June 1, 2026 and closes promptly at 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 30, 2026

    • Organization Details:

  • Name: Navy SEAL Foundation Inc

  • Location: Virginia Beach, VA 23459

  • Phone: 757-744-5326

  • Tax ID: 31-1728910

  • Type: 501(c)(3) tax exempt national nonprofit charitable foundation

    • How to Apply

    VELS Application Process

    Required Materials:
    1. Complete a 500-word essay
    2. Applicant profile with contact information
    3. Proof of enrollment in full-time program

    Optional Materials:

  • Test scores (SAT/ACT/GMAT/GRE/MCAT/LSAT) - transcripts are NOT required for VELS stipend applicants

  • If applicant does not have test scores, select "Military Exempt" to move forward

    • Review Process:

  • NSF staff does not read or review applications

  • VELS awards reviewed and scored by outside review committee

  • Merit-based evaluation

    • Award Notifications:

  • Sent via email to address listed on applicant profile

  • Cycle 1 award notification emails typically sent by mid to late March

  • Cycle 2 notifications TBD

    • Application Frequency:

  • Veterans can apply once per calendar year

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    veteranseducation

    Categories

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