Anchor Scholarship Foundation Scholarships
Offered by Anchor Scholarship Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Anchor Scholarship Foundation supports dependents and spouses of U.S. Navy Surface Fleet sailors, a tradition dating back decades in the surface Navy community. Annual awards run from $2,000 to $3,500, and a smaller number of renewable scholarships are worth up to $10,000 over four years. In 2026 alone the foundation awarded 42 scholarships valued at more than $167,000, so this is a meaningful program for Navy families rather than a token award.
Eligibility runs through the sponsor's service record. Foundation Scholarships require the sponsor to hold a Surface Warfare qualification with at least six cumulative years in commands under COMNAVSURFLANT or COMNAVSURFOR, while Ship's Company Scholarships only require at least one year aboard one of the foundation's listed ships. Dependent children must be under 22 on March 1 of the award year; spouses may study full- or part-time, including graduate programs. Selections weigh academics, character, extracurricular activities, and financial need equally.
The application runs in two steps: an eligibility step due March 1 and a full application step due April 1. Applicants should review both scholarship types and apply under whichever gives them the most options.
Eligibility
- Dependent child or spouse of a U.S. Navy sailor who is active duty, retired, or honorably discharged
- Foundation Scholarships: sponsor must hold Surface Warfare qualification with 6+ cumulative years in COMNAVSURFLANT and/or COMNAVSURFOR commands
- Ship's Company Scholarships: sponsor must have served at least 1 year on one of the foundation's listed ships
- Dependent children must be under age 22 on March 1 of the award year and be a high school senior, current college student, or pursuing a first associate's, bachelor's, or industry certification
- Spouses must be high school graduates pursuing a first associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree at a U.S. 2- or 4-year institution, full- or part-time
How To Apply
- Review the eligibility criteria for both Foundation and Ship's Company scholarship types and choose the one that fits your sponsor's service record
- Register and complete the Step I eligibility application by March 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET
- Complete the Step II full application, with supporting documents per the foundation's checklist, by April 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Frequently Asked Questions
Who counts as a qualifying sponsor?
A U.S. Navy sailor - active duty, retired, or honorably discharged - with surface fleet service. Foundation Scholarships require a Surface Warfare qualification and six cumulative years under COMNAVSURFLANT or COMNAVSURFOR; Ship's Company Scholarships require one year aboard a listed ship. Dependents of Surface Warfare-qualified members who died on active duty may also qualify.
How much are the awards?
Annual scholarships range from $2,000 to $3,500, and select renewable awards are worth up to $10,000 over four years. The foundation awarded 42 scholarships worth over $167,000 in 2026.
How are winners chosen?
Four equally weighted criteria: academic performance, character, extracurricular activities, and financial need.