Veteran scholarships available to study in the USA
If you are a veteran with an interest in further study or research in the United States of America, then the annual American Australian Association (AAA) Veterans’ Fund Scholarships could be for you.
In 2025, applications for scholarship to study in the USA will be open from 1 January to 31 March.
For Australian veteran Alwyn Johnson, the scholarship provides him with the chance to work on a Master of Supply Chain Management qualification with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
His appreciation of the topic has been informed by 11 years in maritime logistics with the Royal Australian Navy, and his post-service consulting career with Partners in Performance, which advises on major transformation projects, including in the supply chain area.
‘We can't defend ourselves if we can't sustain ourselves, however I'm concerned that our supply chains aren't resilient enough,’ Alwyn says.
‘A lot of the best researchers on supply chain resilience work at MIT, so I consider myself very fortunate to study there. But study in the US isn't easy, especially with a young family. I wouldn't be there without the support of the American Australian Association's Veteran's Fund Scholarship.
‘As far as I know. it is the only postgraduate scholarship that aims to support Australian veterans wanting to study in the US.
‘For any current or former ADF personnel thinking about studying in the US, I would strongly recommend investigating the AAA scholarship.
‘The scholarship provides US$40,000 towards studying in the US, but as well as that the AAA staff were extremely supportive during my MIT application process, and there are fantastic networking opportunities, both in the US and in Australia.’
The AAA says the scholarships are there to support honourably discharged post-9/11 [terrorist attacks] military veterans to pursue one year of full-time undergraduate study, in any discipline, or a year of postgraduate study or research. There is also a specific program for Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander veterans.
Up to US$40,000 can be used towards travel, living, tuition and other associated educational costs.
Applicants do not have to be accepted into an accredited educational institution at the time of application, though should be actively looking for placement. Successful applicants have up to 2 years to find a placement at an institution in the United States.
Richard Burrows, the Director of Education for the AAA, said the scholarships offered a wonderful opportunity for veterans to undertake study or work that will assist them in their transition to civilian life.
‘Veterans already have amazing skillsets, and these scholarships can help them bridge any educational or research gaps in their portfolio to excel in their chosen professions,' he said.
‘We really want more Aussies to apply for these scholarships and help build this amazing trans-Pacific network.'
The AAA is a private, non-profit foundation that was established in 1948 by Sir Keith Murdoch in New York City. It is dedicated to broadening, strengthening, and developing ties across the Pacific.
Since it was launched in 2017, on the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, the association’s Veterans’ Fund has provided more than 60 scholarships.
For full details, please check the association’s website or email info [at] americanaustralian.org (info[at]americanaustralian[dot]org).
Image: Alwyn Johnson