FBSA Merit Scholarship
Direct application
Eligibility
About this scholarship
Spouses and dependents of active-duty or retired military, Gold Star families, and GS civilians in the Fort Bliss/El Paso area planning enrollment in college, vocational school, or graduate programs may apply in one of five categories. Merit-based awards start at $500 and vary; financial need is not considered. Requires at least a 3.0 GPA, 10 volunteer hours in the current school year, and a 400 to 500 word original essay without AI assistance.
Submit the digital application with eligibility verification, transcripts, volunteer documentation, two non-relative recommendations, and all materials by March 22.
The Fort Bliss Spouses Association recognizes academic excellence, character, and community service among military-connected families.
Essay questions
What else to submit
- Digital application
- Eligibility verification
- Transcript
- Volunteer documentation
- Two recommendations from non-relatives
- One original 400- to 500-word MLA-format essay submitted as a PDF
- Applicant selects and answers ONE of the three essay questions
- Essay must be a minimum of 400 words and a maximum of 500 words
- Essay must be written in MLA format with a title
- No AI-generated content permitted; essays screened with AI detection software
- Essay must be written offline and submitted as a PDF document
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Minimum 10 hours of volunteer/community service over the current school year
- Must be a spouse or dependent of Active Duty/Retired Military, Gold Star Families, or GS Civilian Employees in/around the El Paso (Fort Bliss) area
- Application must be completed in one sitting (cannot be saved mid-completion)
- Application deadline: March 22, 2026, 11:59 PM
- Applicant answers one of three essay prompts.
- No AI-generated essay content is permitted.
- Application must be completed in one sitting and cannot be saved.