Scholarships for Orphans of Veterans
New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Educator Support and Higher Education (Higher Education Commission)
Up to $2,500 a year for room, board, books and supplies for New Hampshire children (ages 16-25) of service members who died on active duty or from a service-connected disability, plus free tuition at NH public colleges.
- How much
- Up to $2,500 per year (room, board, books and supplies), plus free tuition at NH public colleges
- Who qualifies
- Child of a U.S. service member who died on active duty or of a service-connected disability (Gold Star family)
- Age 16-25; NH legal resident at application; parent was an NH resident at death and served in a qualifying period or operation; max $2,500/yr for up to 4 years.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, grad students
- When to apply
- Opens later Annual; the application form states a September 1 deadline for the academic year.
- How to apply
- Download the initial application (PDF) from the NH Department of Education page, complete it with proof of NH residency and a W-9, have the parent/guardian certification notarized, and mail it to the NH Department of Education, Division of Educator Support and Higher Education, 101 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301 by September 1
- Returning recipients file the additional-year application
- For the free-tuition part, contact your public college
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (education.nh.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Created by the Legislature in 1943 (RSA 193:19-21). The Department of Education pays up to $2,500 per student per year toward room, board, books and supplies at a New Hampshire college or university, for up to 4 years. Eligible: natural or adopted children between 16 and 25 who are New Hampshire legal residents when they apply, whose parent served on active duty in a qualifying period (WWII, Korea, Vietnam era, the Gulf War period onward, or any operation for which the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or a theater-of-operations service medal was awarded), was a New Hampshire resident at death, and died on active duty or later of a service-connected disability rated by the federal government. Under RSA 193:20 these students also get free tuition at New Hampshire public colleges (the University System and the Community College System). Separate initial and additional-year (renewal) applications.
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
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