By Jefferson Wolfe, DeCA Corporate Communications
Social media-friendly version: Hundreds of children from military families worldwide are receiving college tuition assistance this year through the Fisher House Foundation’s signature Scholarships for Military Children program. Read the rest of the story on the DeCA website or download the article and graphic on DVIDS.
FORT LEE, Va. — Hundreds of children from military families worldwide are receiving college tuition assistance this year through the Fisher House Foundation’s signature Scholarships for Military Children program.
The philanthropic organization awarded $2,000 scholarships to 500 students to assist with educational expenses for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year. Commissaries at military installations across the globe have begun hosting on-site ceremonies to recognize local recipients.
The scholarship program was jointly initiated by the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and Fisher House, said DeCA Director and CEO John Hall.
“Of the programs that benefits our patrons the most, this is right at the top of the list,” he said. “I’ve been proud to be part of this program for that last three years.”
The annual initiative aims to ease the rising costs of higher education for military families while rewarding sustained academic achievement and community engagement.
Fort Lee had four scholarship winners this year. Emily G. Royster and her parents took part in the ceremony, along with Elijah W. Gravely and his parents. Alyssa K. Bell and Savanna T. Cleveland were not able to attend.
To qualify, high school applicants had to provide transcripts demonstrating a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, while currently matriculated college undergraduates were required to maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. Candidates also submitted an original essay capped at 500 words.
Eligibility is verified through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database, commonly known as DEERS. Applicants must hold an active military dependent identification card and enroll as full-time students at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2026, or attend an approved curriculum designed for transfer into a four-year institution.
Students already receiving full scholarships that cover tuition, room, board and supplies, as well as those appointed to U.S. service academies or preparatory academies, are barred from accepting program funds.
Unlike many defense-related support efforts, the scholarship program receives no federal or taxpayer funding. The grants are funded entirely through private contributions from commissary manufacturers, distributors, industry brokers and public donations. The Fisher House Foundation holds a four-star charity designation from Charity Navigator, the independent nonprofit evaluator.
The Richmond Fisher House has two facilities that provide lodging to the families of veterans receiving treatment at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System hospital at no cost, said Samantha Abrams, Fisher House program support specialist.
Beyond the commissary awards, the foundation maintains an open-access search tool called “Scholarships for Service,” designed specifically to help service members and their dependents identify additional educational funding. The free tool is available online at militaryscholar.org.
Foundation leaders noted that the application cycle for the 2027-28 academic year is scheduled to launch in December 2026.
Updated application requirements, frequently asked questions and the new annual essay topic will be posted on the organization's website.
-DeCA-
About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees, disabled veterans and other authorized patrons and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which supports the costs of building, modernizing and sustaining commissary facilities. A core military family support element and valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military services and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.