Do I need to be a full-time student? Yes, applicants must plan on being enrolled full time in their degree program during the award year(s) in order to be eligible. The definition of full-time status varies by degree program and can be verified with your Registrar’s office. Executive MBA (EMBA) students are eligible as long as your institution declares your program a full-time program.

What if I am taking my classes online? Distance learners are eligible to apply provided they are full-time students.

Are students attending 2-year community or technical colleges or trade certification programs able to apply? No, only those pursuing an undergraduate (bachelor’s degree), graduate or professional degree are eligible to apply.

I am working to obtain a certification in a particular academic field. Am I eligible to apply? No, only those pursuing an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree are eligible to apply.

What is a University Partner? How do I know if my school is a University Partner? Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner schools are listed below the FAQ section. Our University Partners help facilitate the selection process. If you are applying as a Tillman Scholar at one of these schools, please note that if you switch your school of attendance after submitting your application, you must inform [email protected] immediately. Candidates may not matriculate at a non-University Partner institution after submitting an application at a University Partner institution and still remain eligible as an applicant. Acceptance as a Tillman Scholar at a University Partner is contingent upon matriculating at the University Partner institution.

Does it matter where my school is located? Yes, only those attending an American institution (with the main campus being located in the U.S.) may apply to become a Tillman Scholar.

Is there a minimum GPA requirement in order to be considered? No, there is no minimum GPA requirement to apply. However, in order to be considered for scholarship renewability for subsequent years, a minimum 3.0 GPA must be earned and maintained.

I am the child of a veteran or service member. Am I eligible to apply? No, children are not eligible to apply for the Tillman Scholars program. Scholarships are available to military children through our partners at Fisher House Foundation, No Greater Sacrifice, ThanksUSA, Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, among others.

My spouse was discharged from the military. Am I eligible to apply? Yes, spouses of active military or veteran service members, including surviving spouses, are eligible to apply. Applicants must provide proof of their spouse’s military service as part of the application process.

I am a service member/veteran and my spouse is also a service member/veteran. Should I apply as a spouse or a service member? You should apply as a service member if you have served or are currently serving in the military.

What if I have not yet enrolled in a particular school? Can I still apply? If you have not been accepted to an institution by February 29, you may still apply to become a Tillman Scholar. However, you must be accepted to at least one institution by April 1, 2020. If your acceptance status changes, please email [email protected] with your acceptance information. If you are not accepted by April 1, selection will no longer be able to consider your application for this application cycle. Candidates are eligible to reapply in subsequent years. If you have applied to a University Partner institution but have not yet been accepted, becoming a Tillman Scholar is contingent upon being accepted to that particular institution. (See the University Partner question for more details.)

I see there is a background check requirement. I am concerned about an event in the past. What’s your policy? Only applicants who make it to the video interview round of the selection process are required to complete a background check. For further details, contact [email protected]

A question on the application is asking me to enter a date. What if I am unsure of the exact date? If you do not know the exact date, please enter your best estimate.

I’m having trouble uploading documents in the application portal. What can I do? Try using a different browser, computer or internet network. Ensure the naming convention and file format meet the requirements outlined on the application instructions. If the problem persists, please email [email protected] with the issue and attach the document you are trying to upload.

Are essays required for this application? Yes, there are two (2) required 400-word essays exploring the following areas: your motivation for military and public service and experiences; and your academic, career and future service ambitions.

Are letters of recommendation required for this application? Each applicant will be required to provide one point of contact who will submit a character recommendation. That person will receive a unique log-in from the Pat Tillman Foundation and will be required to answer three standardized questions pertaining to your character (each question has a maximum word count of 100-200 words). Their recommendation will be confidential and the applicant will not be able to see it. The applicant will receive a notification from the system when their recommendation has been completed. An application is not considered eligible for submission until this recommendation has been completed. The recommender will not need to write a separate letter of recommendation. Please Note: the applicant must log into the application after the character recommendation is complete and submit their application in order for it to be considered by the Pat Tillman Foundation.

What if my recommender has not submitted their recommendation and the deadline is coming up? We highly suggest that you contact your recommender at the start of the application process to maximize the time they will have to submit their character reference. In the event that the deadline is approaching and your recommender has not yet submitted your character reference, we suggest that you request a character recommendation from another individual. To do this, you must first delete the current request for a recommendation in your application, and then you will be able to submit a new request. Please note, the recommendation is required and you will not be able to submit the application unless a recommendation has been provided. Recommenders who have not yet submitted their recommendation will receive email reminders from the system.