MOAA - Grant Programs
Educational Assistance
Student Grants
While interest free loans are the backbone of the MOAA Scholarship Fund, we also offer several grant programs to eligible students. Grants are made possible by generous donors who recognize the value in higher education.
Designated Scholar Program: We consider all eligible loan recipients for this program. Students chosen receive a $6,500 interest-free loan and a $500 grant named by the donor. Students must correspond with the donor or their designee each fall.
Senior Grants: We notify current loan recipients entering their final year in college of these grants in January of their junior year. Students who believe they are eligible for these grants and who do not receive a link to the application should email edassist@moaa.org for additional information. Recipients of Senior Grants become ineligible for further Educational Assistance programs. The number of grants awarded varies from year to year.
General John Paul Ratay Educational Fund Grants: These grants are limited to children whose military parent retired and subsequently died. Students qualifying for a loan who meet the criteria of a Ratay grant are automatically considered. Students who believe they are eligible for these grants and who do not receive a request for supporting documentation should email edassist@moaa.org. Funding for this grant is limited and may not be available every year.
In response to the skyrocketing cost of continuing education and to better assist students of military families continue their education, the MOAA Scholarship Fund Board of Directors recently updated the disbursement formula to enable the fund to distribute more assistance in the form of grants. In 2021, 36% of assistance distributed was in the form of grants compared to 12% in 2019. The MOAA Scholarship Fund will continue to evaluate our programs to ensure we are meeting the needs of our families to the best of our abilities.