Are you an active-duty service member or veteran looking for help paying for college, trade school, or career training? The VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship offers up to $5,000 in educational assistance to eligible military members and veterans pursuing their academic and career goals.

Through a partnership between the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sport Clips Haircuts, the scholarship program has helped thousands of service members and veterans reduce the financial burden of higher education.

Applications for the Spring 2027 semester are now OPEN, with a deadline of November 15, 2026!

In addition to the Help A Hero Scholarship, the VFW offers other opportunities to support student veterans, including leadership development and advocacy programs.

Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship: Apply for Up to $5,000

The VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible active-duty service members and veterans attending accredited colleges, universities, technical schools, and other approved postsecondary programs.

Scholarship Highlights

• Award Amount: Up to $5,000 per qualified applicant
• Spring Semester Applications: August 1 – November 15
• Fall Semester Applications: January 1 – April 30
• Scholarship Use: Tuition and fees only
• Payment: Made directly to the accredited school
• Limit: One scholarship per family per semester

Scholarship funds must be used during the semester for which they are awarded.

Who Is Eligible for the Help A Hero Scholarship?

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be active duty, retired, honorably discharged, or serving in the National Guard or Reserve.
• Have completed Basic Training and follow-on military training.
• Currently hold or have separated with a military rank of E-5 or below.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be accepted into or enrolled in a VA-approved program or school at an accredited postsecondary institution.

The scholarship is available to qualifying service members and veterans pursuing traditional degrees as well as technical and vocational education.

Apply Now for the Help A Hero Scholarship

2026 Help A Hero Scholarship: Supporting Thousands of Veterans

The Help A Hero Scholarship program continues to make a significant difference for military members pursuing higher education.

In August 2026, the VFW announced that 115 student veterans received nearly $550,000 in scholarships for the fall semester.

Since the program began in 2013, more than 3,600 scholarships totaling over $16 million have been awarded to help veterans and service members achieve their educational goals.

These scholarships help reduce tuition costs and provide opportunities for veterans transitioning into civilian careers.

Sport Clips Veterans Day 2026: FREE Haircuts & Scholarship Fundraising

Sport Clips Haircuts is once again honoring military members and veterans with its annual Veterans Day celebration and Help A Hero fundraising campaign.

On November 11, 2026, participating Sport Clips locations will offer FREE haircuts to veterans and active-duty military members.

The annual Help A Hero fundraising campaign runs October 5 through November 14, 2026, giving customers an opportunity to support scholarships for military members and veterans.

How Sport Clips Gives Back

• FREE Veterans Day Haircuts: Participating locations offer complimentary haircuts to veterans and active-duty military.
• Scholarship Donations: Customers can contribute to the Help A Hero Scholarship during the campaign.
• Additional Support: Participating Sport Clips locations donate $2 from every paid haircut on Veterans Day toward the scholarship program.

Sport Clips customers, franchisees, team members, and corporate partners have helped fund thousands of scholarships for veterans pursuing college degrees, technical training, and new career opportunities.

Participation varies by location. Contact your local Sport Clips to confirm the Veterans Day offer.

Learn More About Sport Clips Help A Hero

VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship: Leadership Opportunities for Student Veterans

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Student Veterans of America (SVA) also partner to offer the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship, an opportunity for student veterans interested in leadership, advocacy, and public policy.

Selected fellows work with VFW and SVA representatives to learn more about veterans’ issues and engage with lawmakers and policy leaders.

2026–2027 Legislative Fellowship Highlights

• Participate in the SVA National Conference in Grapevine, Texas, January 4–6, 2027.
• Travel to Washington, D.C., for the VFW Washington Conference, February 27 – March 4, 2027.
• Meet with lawmakers and advocate for veterans’ issues.
• Gain valuable leadership, networking, and professional development experience.
• Receive covered travel expenses for both conferences.

Applicants must be enrolled student veterans who are VFW members or eligible for membership.

The 2026–2027 application period has closed. The next application period is scheduled to open in August 2027.

Learn More About the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship

Additional Resources for Student Veterans

Beyond scholarships and fellowships, the VFW provides resources to help service members and veterans navigate higher education and career transitions.

Available resources include information about:

• GI Bill education benefits
• Choosing a college or training program
• Comparing education benefits
• Student veteran organizations
• Career development and employment resources

Explore VFW Student Veteran Resources

Apply for Military & Veteran Scholarships Today

Whether you’re transitioning out of the military, pursuing a college degree, or preparing for a new career, educational assistance programs can help make your goals more affordable.

The VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship offers up to $5,000 for eligible service members and veterans, with applications accepted twice each year.

Don’t miss the upcoming November 15, 2026 deadline for Spring 2027 scholarship applications!

Apply for the Help A Hero Scholarship

For more military scholarships, education benefits, and career resources, explore MilitaryBridge.

Eligibility, discount availability and program terms are subject to change.