Dolphin Scholarship Foundation grants are available, on a competitive basis, to high school or college children/stepchildren and spouses of members or former members of the submarine force or those who have served in submarine support activities. For more information on eligibility requirements, please click here.
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Applications for academic year 2026-2027 will open October 1, 2025.
Currently, Dolphin Scholarship Foundation sponsors 131 ongoing DOLPHIN SCHOLARSHIPS and 19 Administered Scholarships with annual grants ranging from $1,500 – $4,000 per student for two-year or four-year full-time undergraduate studies as well as students pursuing trade/vocational certification.
Approximately 30-40 new scholarships are awarded each year. All scholars are selected on the basis of academic proficiency as well as commitment and excellence in school and community activities. Although not a part of the actual selection process, financial need is considered once all financial aid assistance for an applicant has been determined. Since our founding over 60 years ago, Dolphin Scholarship Foundation has granted over $14,000,000 to more than 1,500 outstanding students attending universities and colleges throughout the U.S.
SPOUSE SCHOLARSHIPS
We understand the hard work and many sacrifices that our military spouses make while keeping things together at home, oftentimes putting their own goals and ambitions on hold. We hope that by offering scholarships to eligible spouses working toward their first undergraduate degree or trade/vocational certification, we can provide assistance in making some of those goals achievable.
Administered Scholarships
In partnership with the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association (PFSMA), DSF will administer the USS BOWFIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP with applications opening October 1, 2024. Since 1985, PFSMA has granted over $1,300,000 in USS Bowfin Memorial Scholarship grants to well deserving students. Applicants pursuing a four-year degree are eligible for $5,000 scholarship grants, while those pursuing a two-year degree or vocational/trade certification will be eligible for $2,500 scholarship grants. There will be $50,000 in USS Bowfin Memorial Scholarship funds available. The USS Bowfin Memorial Scholarship shall be awarded to a current or former qualified submariner, or their DOD recognized spouse or child. The sponsor must have served at least 6 years active duty in submarine service OR 8 years of active duty in submarine support activities (Submarine groups or squadrons, training and maintenance facilities, Submarine Tenders, etc…). A minimum of two years of the member’s or sponsor’s submarine service shall have been while permanently assigned to a command based in Hawaii. All otherwise retired or discharged veterans must have received an honorable discharge. The scholarships will not be renewable, but recipients may reapply the following year and compete with other applicants
The LAURA W. BUSH SCHOLARSHIP was established in 2006 to honor former First Lady Mrs. Laura W. Bush, sponsor of USS TEXAS (SSN 775) and is awarded to children or stepchildren of current or former crew members of USS TEXAS (SSN 775). This independent scholarship is administered by the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation (DSF). A total of five $4,000 scholarships may be awarded in an academic year for post-secondary education at the undergraduate level, including vocational training programs. This scholarship is renewable. The LAURA W. BUSH SCHOLARSHIP shall be awarded to a child or stepchild of a current or former crew member of USS TEXAS (SSN 775) who either is a Plankowner (crewmember on September 11, 2006) OR served a minimum of two (2) years onboard USS TEXAS (following commissioning) AND has served in the Submarine Force a minimum of six (6) years.
The USS COLORADO (SSN 788) SCHOLARSHIP was established in 2018 by the USS Colorado (SSN 788) Commissioning Committee, Inc. This scholarship is awarded to current or former crew members of USS Colorado (SSN 788) or their spouse, child, stepchild, or a child under legal guardianship. This independent scholarship is administered by the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation. A total of two $2,000 scholarships may be awarded in an academic year. This is a one-time award for $2,000 split between two semesters awarded as $1000 on August 1 and $1000 on December 1. This is NOT a renewable award. The student may re-apply for the following year and compete with other applicants.
The USS DELAWARE (SSN 791) SCHOLARSHIPS were established by the USS Delaware Commissioning Committee and the State of Delaware. The scholarships are awarded to current and former crew members of USS DELAWARE (SSN 791); their spouse, child, stepchild, or a child under legal guardianship of a current or former crew member who has served onboard USS DELAWARE (SSN 791) for a period of six months or more. This is a one-time award for $3,500 split between two semesters awarded as $1,750 on August 1 and $1,750 on December 1. This is NOT a renewable award. The student may re-apply for the following year and compete with other applicants.
The USS INDIANA (SSN 789) DIANE DONALD SCHOLARSHIP was established in 2019 by the USS Indiana Association in honor of Rear Admiral Richard N. Antrim and Chief Machinist’s Mate William Badders, Medal of Honor recipients. This scholarship is awarded to current or former crew members of USS Indiana (SSN 789) or the DOD recognized spouse or child of a current or former crew member of USS Indiana (SSN 789). This independent scholarship is administered by the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation. A total of two $3,400 scholarships may be awarded in an academic year. This is a one-time award for $3,400 split between two semesters awarded as $1,700 on August 1 and $1,700 on December 1. This is NOT a renewable award. The student may re-apply for the following year and compete with other applicants. The USS INDIANA (SSN 789) DIANE DONALD SCHOLARSHIP shall be awarded to current or former crew members or the DOD recognized spouse or child of a current or former crew member of USS Indiana (SSN 789) who have served aboard for a period of 180 days or more; all otherwise eligible retired or discharged veterans must have received an honorable discharge.
The USS HAMPTON (SSN 767) SCHOLARSHIP was established by the commissioning committee of USS HAMPTON (SSN 767) in 1996 to be awarded to the crewmembers and dependents of USS HAMPTON (SSN 767) for further education. This independent scholarship is administered by the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation. A total of two $1,500 scholarships may be awarded in an academic year. The USS Hampton Scholarship shall be awarded to current or former crewmembers of USS HAMPTON (SSN 767), or the spouse, child or stepchild of a crewmember who has served a minimum of two years aboard USS HAMPTON (SSN 767). This is a one-time award for $1,500 split between two semesters awarded as $750 on August 1 and $750 on December 1. This is NOT a renewable award. The student may re-apply for the following year and compete with other applicants.
The USS MONTANA (SSN 794) SCHOLARSHIP was established by the commissioning committee of USS MONTANA (SSN 794) in 2024 to be awarded to the crewmembers and dependents of USS MONTANA (SSN 794) for further education. This independent scholarship is administered by the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation. One $2,000 scholarship may be awarded in an academic year. The USS Montana Scholarship shall be awarded to current or former crewmembers of USS MONTANA (SSN 794), or the spouse, child or stepchild of a crewmember who has served a minimum of six months aboard USS MONTANA (SSN 794). This is a one-time award for $2,000 split between two semesters awarded as $1,000 on August 1 and $1,000 on December 1. This is NOT a renewable award. The student may re-apply for the following year and compete with other applicants.
NAUTILUS SCHOLARSHIP: The Nautilus Alumni Association, Inc. (NAAI) has established the Nautilus Educational Assistance Fund (NEAF) to provide undergraduate scholarships for spouses and descendants of current or former crew members of USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) through The Nautilus Scholarship Foundation. The number of awards and the amount of the scholarship may vary annually and will be determined prior to selection each year. THE NAUTILUS SCHOLARSHIP shall be awarded to spouse, child, grandchild, great grandchild, or step child, step grandchild or great step grandchild of a crewmember or former crewmember of USS Nautilus who has served honorably aboard Nautilus for at least 30 days.
The USS OREGON (SSN 793) SCHOLARSHIP was established by the commissioning committee of USS OREGON (SSN 793) in 2022 to be awarded to the crewmembers and dependents of USS OREGON (SSN 793) for further education. This independent scholarship is administered by the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation. A total of one $3,500 scholarship may be awarded in an academic year. The USS Oregon Scholarship shall be awarded to current or former crewmembers of USS OREGON (SSN 793), or the spouse, child or stepchild of a crewmember who has served a minimum of six months aboard USS OREGON (SSN 793). This is a one-time award for $3,500 split between two semesters awarded as $1,750 on August 1 and $1,750 on December 1. This is NOT a renewable award. The student may re-apply for the following year and compete with other applicants.
The USS WASHINGTON (SSN 787) SCHOLARSHIP was established by the commissioning committee of USS WASHINGTON (SSN 787) in 2018 to be awarded to the crewmembers and dependents of USS WASHINGTON (SSN 787) for further education. This independent scholarship is administered by the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation. A total of one $2,500 scholarship may be awarded in an academic year. The USS Washington Scholarship shall be awarded to current or former crewmembers of USS WASHINGTON (SSN 787), or the spouse, child or stepchild of a crewmember who has served a minimum of two years aboard USS WASHINGTON (SSN 787). This is a one-time award for $2,500 split between two semesters awarded as $1,250 on August 1 and $1,250 on December 1. This is NOT a renewable award. The student may re-apply for the following year and compete with other applicants.