Tillman Scholar Application FAQs
Do I need to be a full-time student?
Yes, applicants must plan on being enrolled full time in their degree program during the award year(s) in order to be eligible. The definition of full-time status varies by degree program and can be verified with your Registrar’s office. Executive MBA (EMBA) students are eligible as long as your institution declares your program a full-time program.
What if I am taking my classes online?
Are students attending 2-year community or technical colleges or trade certification programs able to apply?
I am working to obtain a certification in a particular academic field. Am I eligible to apply?
Does it matter where my school is located?
Is there a minimum GPA requirement in order to be considered?
I am the child of a veteran or service member. Am I eligible to apply?
I am a service member/veteran and my spouse is also a service member/veteran. Should I apply as a spouse or a service member?
My spouse was discharged from the military. Am I eligible to apply?
What is a University Partner? How do I know if my school is a University Partner?
Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner schools are listed on the Scholarships homepage. Our University Partners help facilitate the selection process.
Candidates may not matriculate at a non-University Partner institution after submitting an application at a University Partner institution and still remain eligible as an applicant. Acceptance as a Tillman Scholar at a University Partner is contingent upon matriculating at the University Partner institution.
For additional academic information please watch this short video.
What if I have not yet enrolled in a particular school? Can I still apply?
If you have not been accepted to an institution by the time you have submitted your application, you may still apply to become a Tillman Scholar. However, you must be accepted to at least one institution by April 1. If your acceptance status changes, please email [email protected] with your acceptance information. If you are not accepted by April 1, selection will no longer be able to consider your application for this application cycle. Candidates are eligible to reapply in subsequent years. If you have applied to a University Partner institution but have not yet been accepted, becoming a Tillman Scholar is contingent upon being accepted to that particular institution. (See the University Partner question for more details and check out this video.)
I see there is a background check requirement. I am concerned about an event in the past. What’s your policy?
Although all applicants complete the information needed for a background check, background checks are not completed unless your application has advanced to the interview stage. At that time, a detailed background check is conducted. For further details please contact [email protected].
A question on the application is asking me to enter a date. What if I am unsure of the exact date?
I’m having trouble uploading documents in the application portal. What can I do?
Try using a different browser, computer or internet network. Ensure the naming convention and file format meet the requirements outlined on the application instructions. If the problem persists, please email [email protected] with the issue and attach the document you are trying to upload.
Are essays required for this application?
Yes, there are two (2) required 400-word essays exploring the following areas: your motivation for military and public service and experiences; and your academic, career and future service ambitions. See our tips on writing essays here.
Are letters of recommendation required for this application?
What if my recommender has not submitted their recommendation and the deadline is coming up?
We highly suggest that you contact your recommender at the start of the application process to maximize the time they will have to submit their character reference. In the event that the deadline is approaching and your recommender has not yet submitted your character reference, we suggest that you request a character recommendation from another individual. To do this, you must first delete the current request for a recommendation in your application, and then you will be able to submit a new request. Please note, the recommendation is required and you will not be able to submit the application unless a recommendation has been provided. Recommenders who have not yet submitted their recommendation will receive email reminders from the system. See a video on recommendations here.
What documents are acceptable to confirm my/my spouses military service?
What if I cannot obtain one of the listed military service documents?
We may accept other forms that verify military service. If you have several forms that collectively document the following four items of information, we will gladly accept them. If this is the case, scan all forms as a single .pdf file into the application:
- A date of entry into active duty;
- A date of separation or release from active duty;
- Verification of awards or decorations mentioned elsewhere in this application; and
- The character of the discharge (proof of honorable discharge or separation).
*Please black out your social security number on all forms before uploading. If you progress through the selection process, we may reach out with questions or require you to provide additional documentation.
I do not have a digital version of my military service document. Can I fax or mail in a hard copy?
What if there is sensitive information (e.g. Social Security Number) included in my military service document and I do not want to transmit this over the internet?
I am hesitant about the security of the overall process and the online application. What measures do you take to protect my information?
Is a transcript or academic record required for this application?
What information do you require to substantiate my financial need?
As part of the application, you will be required to estimate financial information for the upcoming fall/spring academic year including:
- Academic expenses (e.g., tuition, books, fees)
- Living and personal expenses (e.g., insurance, childcare, rent, meals, transportation)
- Sources of income (e.g., salary, GI Bill and other federal benefits, other scholarships)
Please be sure to follow the prompts for joint (if married) and individual financial information.
The dollar amounts on the financial page do not fully represent my true need. How can I explain my financial circumstances further?
How much is the award amount if I am chosen as a Tillman Scholar?
Selection as a Tillman Scholar is merit-based. The average amount of scholarship awarded to our Tillman Scholars is around $10,000 per academic year.
I applied for this program last year and was not accepted. Can I apply again this year?
I used my scholarship funding as a Tillman Scholar to fund a previous degree. Can I apply again for another degree?
What types of expenses can I use my scholarship funds for, should I be selected?
If I am selected as a Tillman Scholar, when will the scholarship check be sent to my university?
Scholarship checks are mailed to universities by August 10th.
What should I do if I have completed my application, but the website will not allow me to submit the completed application?
When is the application due?
The last day of Febuary each year by 11:59 PM PT. There are no exceptions to this deadline.
Can I start the application, save my inputs, and return later to complete it?
When can I expect to hear about the status of my application?
All candidates will receive notification of their acceptance by June 1st. Class announcements are published by mid June each year.
Do I need to attend one of the partnered universities to be eligible to apply?
No, you do not need to attend a University Partnered institution. You do need to be attending an accrediated U.S. based institution as a full-time student enrolled in a bachelor’s degree or above during the upcoming academic year.