Military Service Scholarship

Why We Created This Scholarship

The men and women of the United States Armed Forces dedicate themselves to the defense of our nation. Whether active duty or reserve, these service members often pursue higher education to advance their careers, transition into civilian roles, or broaden their knowledge in technical and leadership fields.

But military life brings unique challenges: frequent relocations, separation from family, rigorous schedules, and limited financial flexibility — especially for educational paths not fully covered by traditional benefits.

At the Olsen Family Foundation, our commitment to service is deeply personal. Our family includes Captain (Ret.) Kenneth Olsen, United States Coast Guard, and Major Kevin Olsen, United States Air Force, who together represent decades of honorable service across branches and missions. This scholarship is one way we continue that tradition — by investing in the future of fellow service members.

We created this scholarship to say:

“Your service matters. Your education matters. And we’re here to support both.”

Submit Application

 FAQs

    • Current active duty or reserve U.S. military service members

    • Enrolled in or accepted to an accredited academic or vocational program

    • A letter of good standing from your commanding officer

    • Your most recent military evaluation or fitness report

    • A 500-word personal statement on your goals and how education will support your mission

    • A letter of recommendation from a supervisor, mentor, or professor

    • Confirmation of enrollment from the school or program

    • Registrar or finance office contact information for the school

    • One scholarship awarded annually

    • $500 paid directly to your institution

    • Funds may be used for tuition, certification, licensing, or educational fees

  • A committee of 3–7 Foundation-affiliated and external reviewers evaluates anonymized applications and selects a recipient by majority vote. No financial need disclosure is required. The application process is merit- and mission-based.

  • Applications are open for submission August through October.

    Decisions are made and applicants are notified via email by November 21 each year. Payment is made to each educational institution by end of the award year