Scholarships

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Paying for college begins with understanding your options.

Our Financial Aid & Scholarships resources are designed to help students and families navigate the financial side of higher education with confidence.

From completing the FAFSA to exploring scholarship opportunities and military-funded education programs, we provide the tools and guidance needed to make college more affordable.

Whether you're planning to attend a four-year university, community college, or pursue an ROTC scholarship, these resources will help you take the next step toward funding your future.

ROTC scholarships provide students with the opportunity to earn a college degree while preparing to serve as a commissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces.

These highly competitive scholarships can cover tuition and educational expenses while developing leadership skills through military training.

Whether your goal is to serve on active duty, in the National Guard, or in the Reserves, ROTC offers multiple pathways to becoming an officer.

WHAT IS ROTC?

Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Attend college while participating in military leadership training
Commission as an officer upon graduation
Service commitment after graduation

BENEFITS OF AN ROTC SCHOLARSHIP:

✅ Tuition

✅ Fees

✅ Book Allowance

✅ Monthly Stipend

✅ Leadership Training

WHO OFFERS AN ROTC SCHOLARSHIP?

Army ROTC Available at hundreds of colleges Four-year, three-year, and campus-based scholarships Covers tuition or room and board (depending on scholarship) Monthly stipend Book allowance

Navy ROTC Navy Option Marine Option STEM emphasis for many scholarships Tuition benefits Leadership development

Air Force ROTC High school scholarships In-college scholarships Technical and non-technical majors Monthly stipend **Space Force officers currently commission through Air Force ROTC

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A competitive applicant demonstrates: Strong academic performance Challenging coursework Leadership experience Athletic participation Physical fitness Community service Strong character Interest in military service

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Junior Year Research colleges Meet with College Counseling Take SAT/ACT Begin fitness preparation ↓ Summer Before Senior Year Open application Request recommendations Schedule interview ↓ Senior Year Complete application Medical qualification (DoDMERB) Fitness Assessment Scholarship Boards ↓ Spring Scholarship notification Accept scholarship Enroll in ROTC

HELPFUL LINKS

Army ROTC
Navy ROTC
Air Force ROTC
DoDMERB Information
Fitness Assessment Information (Check each branch for specific requirements)

Scholarships provide valuable financial assistance that does not need to be repaid.

Browse trusted scholarship search websites, discover local and national opportunities, and learn strategies for finding and applying for awards that match your interests, achievements, and goals.

You should never pay for a scholarship or grant. That is considered "free money". Be careful of scams!

Scholarships are not one-size-fits-all. Scholarships have specific eligibility requirements that a student must meet. Finding and applying to scholarships is a tedious, time-consuming process. Don't just apply for just the big money scholarships or the "No-Essay Required". Apply for the smaller-amount scholarships, as well -- each scholarship will add up.

The BigFuture Scholarship Search is a free resource that helps students discover thousands of scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities from colleges, organizations, and foundations across the country.

Students can search for awards based on academic interests, extracurricular involvement, career goals, background, and more.

Creating a personalized profile allows students to find scholarships that match their qualifications and stay organized throughout the application process.

Big Future offers task completion scholarships (giving away $40,000 and $500 scholarships) every month. Tasks such as creating a college list, doing a scholarship search, doing a college search, etc. Complete a task and your name is automatically added for the monthly drawings. You must be logged into your College Board account.

Merit Scholarship Awards:

Colleges and Universities will award Merit Scholarship to applicants based on academic record and SAT scores. This information is usually shared in the acceptance letter.

Direct Admission Scholarship Awards:

Niche and College Board offer Direct Admission opportunities that may come with a scholarship award. This is a strategy to have the student submit an application. The student is not accepted and is not awarded the money until an official application is on file.

Local Scholarships:

Many community organizations, businesses, civic groups, and foundations offer scholarships specifically for students from their home communities. Because these awards often have smaller applicant pools, they can provide valuable financial assistance.

**Please note that enrollment at Fork Union Military Academy does not establish Virginia or Fluvanna County residency for scholarship or grant purposes. Students should focus their scholarship search on opportunities available in their permanent hometown or state of residence.**

Credible Scholarship Sites:

What are the best Scholarship Websites for Students? (Forbes)
- Published June 2026

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the most important steps in the financial aid process.

Learn when to apply, what information you'll need, and how the FAFSA determines eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid.

The FAFSA is required to open on October 1 every year. Use www.studentaid.gov to complete the application. The student will complete the first part of the application, will add the "Contributor", and then the parent/guardian will complete the application. (There is a step-by-step video below on how to complete the application.)

The sooner the FAFSA is filled out the more funds the federal government may have to lend.

Important information to note:

Many colleges and universities will provide a tuition discount for applicants who include the college/universitiy in their FAFSA application.
Students can add up to 20 schools on their FAFSA for financial aid consideration.
Important note: Filing out the FAFSA does not guarantee financial aid. If awarded financial aid, please read the information carefully. Scholarship and Grants do not need to be repaid, while loans will need to be repaid.

A Net Price Calculator (NPC) helps students and families estimate the actual cost of attending a specific college after grants and scholarships are taken into account.

Unlike a college's published tuition and fees, the net price provides a more realistic estimate of what you may pay based on your family's financial situation.

While the calculator is not a guarantee of financial aid, it is a valuable planning tool that allows families to compare colleges, estimate out-of-pocket costs, and make informed financial decisions before applying.

Why use a Net Price Calculator? Estimate your expected college costs before applying. Compare the affordability of different colleges and universities. Understand how grants and scholarships may reduce expenses. Plan ahead for college financing with greater confidence.

Tip:

Every college that participates in federal financial aid programs provides a Net Price Calculator on its website. Families are encouraged to use the calculator for each college they are considering, as financial aid packages can vary significantly from one institution to another.

The CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile) is an online financial aid application used by many private colleges, universities, and scholarship programs to award institutional financial aid. While the FAFSA determines eligibility for federal student aid, the CSS Profile gives colleges a more comprehensive picture of a family's financial circumstances to determine eligibility for grants and scholarships funded by the institution.

Not every college requires the CSS Profile, but those that do often use it to award significant institutional aid. Students should check each college's financial aid website to determine whether the CSS Profile is required and to review submission deadlines.

For the list of schools that require the CSS Profile, click here.

Before You Begin

To make completing the CSS Profile easier, gather the following information:

Federal income tax returns
W-2 forms and other income records
Bank account and investment statements
Information about businesses or farms (if applicable)
Mortgage and home equity information (if requested)
Records of untaxed income
Student and parent Social Security numbers (if applicable)

Helpful Tips

Submit the CSS Profile before each college's priority deadline.
Requirements vary by institution, so check every college on your application list.
Some colleges require the CSS Profile every year you apply for financial aid.
If your family's financial circumstances change, contact the college's financial aid office directly. Many institutions can review special circumstances that may not be reflected on your application.

Quick Tip

Not every student needs the CSS Profile. Only complete it if one or more of the colleges on your list specifically require it. Always review each college's financial aid requirements early to avoid missing important deadlines.

FAFSA vs. CSS Profile: What's the Difference?

Many families ask, "If I've already completed the FAFSA, why do I need the CSS Profile?" The answer depends on the colleges on your student's list.

Click here for a comparison chart.

Quick Comparison

FAFSA

Free application
Determines eligibility for federal financial aid
Used by nearly every college
Collects basic financial information
Administered by the U.S. Department of Education

CSS Profile

May require an application fee
Determines eligibility for institutional (college-funded) aid
Required by selected colleges and universities
Collects more detailed financial information
Administered by the College Board

Do I Need to Complete Both?

Many families ask this question—and the answer is yes, if your college requires both.

Think of it this way:

FAFSA = Federal financial aid

CSS Profile = College-funded financial aid

Completing only the FAFSA may qualify you for federal aid, but you could miss out on thousands of dollars in institutional grants and scholarships if a college also requires the CSS Profile.