College Scholarships

For daughters of U.S. Military Officers

The 2027 Application will open November 1, 2026

Military Star Scholarship Awards

Since 1906, the Daughters of the Cincinnati have granted over 400 college scholarships to children of military officers. Our flagship Military Stars scholarship provides financial support to help outstanding students achieve their educational goals. 

Scholarship recipients may receive up to $20,000, distributed over four years of undergraduate study, up to $5,000 a year, provided they continue to meet the program’s renewal requirements. Scholarships are awarded based on a combination of academic merit and demonstrated financial need.

Our scholarships for military dependents help provide financial support for exceptional students pursuing higher education. This financial support allows our recipients to focus on pursuing their education while honoring the legacy of military service that inspired the creation of our Scholarship Program. 

Our Scholars Attend Outstanding Colleges and Universities

Daughters of the Cincinnati Scholarship recipients attend many of the nation’s most respected colleges and universities. Our scholars are ambitious, high-achieving young women pursuing degrees across a wide range of academic disciplines from engineering and medicine to public policy, business, the humanities, and the arts.

Recent scholarship recipients have enrolled at institutions including:

  • Brown University
  • Georgetown University
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
  • Howard University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • North Carolina State University
  • Pepperdine University
  • Princeton University
  • Skidmore College
  • Stanford University
  • The University of Chicago
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Southern California (USC)
  • University of Virginia
  • University of Washington
  • Wellesley College

and many other outstanding colleges and universities across the United States.

Our scholarship recipients reflect the values of the Daughters of the Cincinnati: academic excellence, leadership, service, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in their communities. Whether attending an Ivy League university, a leading public research institution, or a distinguished liberal arts college, our scholars are ready to excel and become the next generation of leaders.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Daughters of the Cincinnati scholarship, applicants must be high school seniors and the daughters of career commissioned officers in the United States Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force. Eligible parents may be on active duty, retired with at least 20 years of service, or deceased. Parents serving solely in the Reserves do not qualify. 

In addition to meeting this family military requirement, applicants must demonstrate both academic merit and financial need. The scholarship selection process includes: an essay, a secondary school report, a letter of recommendation from a member of the applicant’s community, and a Student Aid Report (SAR).

Applications are due by March 1st of the student’s senior year in high school.

The scholarship application opens each year in November and we accept applications until March 1st. 

If you have an inquiry or question during the application process, please email: Scholarships@Daughters1894.org

Frequently Asked Questions

The Daughters of the Cincinnati Scholarship for military children is open to graduating high school seniors who are female dependents of career commissioned officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be a graduating high school senior planning to enroll full-time at an accredited college or university.
  • Be the daughter of a career commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force.
  • Have a parent who is currently serving on active duty, retired after at least 20 years of commissioned service, or deceased after qualifying commissioned service.
  • Demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership, and involvement in school and community activities.
  • Demonstrate financial need through the submission of a Student Aid Report (SAR).

The Military Star Scholarship recognizes exceptional young women who have excelled academically and are prepared to continue that success in college. Applicants are evaluated based on both merit and financial need, with the goal of investing in students who will make the greatest impact through their education and future careers.

We look for driven, accomplished young women who excel both inside and outside the classroom. Successful applicants demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, meaningful extracurricular involvement, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Our scholarship recipients have attended many of the country’s leading colleges and universities, where they continue to pursue ambitious academic and career goals.

The Daughters of the Cincinnati provides college scholarships for military dependants, supporting high-achieving young women who are daughters of career U.S. military officers as they pursue their educational goals.

Scholarships are awarded based on both merit and financial need. As part of the application, you’ll submit a Student Aid Report (SAR) and your high school transcript. We strive to make the greatest possible impact with our scholarship program by investing in driven, high-achieving students whose financial need makes this support especially meaningful.

The Daughters of the Cincinnati awards scholarships of up to $20,000, paid over four years ($5000/year). Individual award amounts are based on merit and demonstrated financial need.

Applicants must submit:

  • A completed scholarship application
  • An essay
  • A secondary school report
  • A letter of recommendation from a member of the applicant’s community
  • A Student Aid Report (SAR) demonstrating financial need
  • Proof of parent’s military service

Yes. Scholarship recipients may attend the accredited college or university of their choice. The scholarship funds are sent directly to the institution. 

Invest in the Future of Military Daughters

For more than a century, the Daughters of the Cincinnati has honored military service, preserved our nation’s heritage, and supported the next generation of leaders through education. Watch our story to learn more about our impact and discover how you can support our mission.

The Daughters of the Cincinnati offer Scholarships for Military Dependents.

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