For DonorsFor Applicants

Learner Online Learning Innovator Scholarship for Veterans

Funded by
$1,000
1 winner$1,000
Open
Application Deadline
Jan 1, 2025
Winners Announced
Feb 1, 2025
Education Level
Any
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
Citizenship Status:
U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
Background:
Uses online platforms, tools, and resources to further learning and knowledge application

In today’s digital age, education extends beyond traditional classrooms, providing veterans and military members with flexible learning opportunities that fit their unique lifestyles. Learner’s Annual Online Innovator Scholarship seeks to support veterans, active-duty service members, and their families who utilize online learning platforms or resources, encouraging a more accessible and adaptable approach to education tailored to their needs.

The Learner team is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals through online, one-on-one tutoring, and has seen firsthand the resilience, adaptability, and technical skills of those in the military community. These individuals, who overcome obstacles and remain committed to their educational pursuits, deserve recognition for their proactive and innovative approach to learning.

Online tools such as tutoring services, virtual classrooms, and digital libraries allow military students to continue their education regardless of location or deployment status. These virtual resources provide flexibility, enabling collaboration with peers and instructors from around the world, creating a diverse and dynamic learning environment.

This scholarship aims to reward veterans and military members who utilize online education to achieve their academic and professional goals, fostering a community of resilient and innovative learners dedicated to personal and professional growth.

This scholarship is open to any veteran, active-duty service member, or a dependent who is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident and uses online platforms, tools, and resources to further their learning.

To apply, share how the online tools and technology have supported your educational journey and helped you apply your knowledge in real-world settings.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Passion
Published September 10, 2024
Essay Topic

What online platforms, tools, and resources do you use to further your understanding of the subject(s) you’re studying? How have these online platforms, tools, and resources helped you learn to better apply your knowledge?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Alaina Leasure
Dickinson CollegeGreencastle, PA
As a law and policy major who tends to choose courses that I know will challenge me, online platforms, tools, and resources have been essential to furthering my understanding of what I'm studying. Until college, I often used Quizlet to help with memorization. The flashcards and memory games made vocabulary a breeze. But, now that my assignments are typically long-form writing assignments to demonstrate my understanding of a concept, I've found that YouTube and Coursera are the most beneficial to me as a student. Within academia, YouTube has garnered a reputation similar to that of Wikipedia. Professors warn against using YouTube because it is a platform where anyone can post anything, whether it is accurate or not. To me, this is unfair. YouTube has thousands of vetted experts posting videos on topics they are passionate about. For example, the channel The Amoeba Sisters is a collaboration between real-life sisters, one creating the art, and the other, using what she's learned from her MS in biological sciences, narrates. There are countless other examples, in almost every subject, of highly educated and talented people making videos curated for those who want to learn. If I am struggling in a class, there is surely some YouTube creator who will be able to explain the topic in a different way, which will help me succeed. Of course, sometimes I need to verify that the creator has experience in whatever field they're discussing. But, generally, people with educational channels post their credentials anyway, making it easier to tell who to trust. The other platform I use is Coursera. Coursera is a website/app where accredited universities can post online, self-paced versions of their courses. Right now, I'm taking a course on how law and ethics intersect in the context of running a business. Since the courses are self-paced, it is ideal for someone who wants to supplement their learning while already enrolled at a college/university. It is also ideal for anyone curious about a topic, especially as the courses are free. Earning a certificate for completing a Coursera course is possible but comes with a fee. However, the platform has granted me three full scholarships, meaning I have received credit for completing two courses (then, the one I am currently taking). The scholarship opportunities, and ease of application, make it clear to me that Coursera is truly invested in broadening access to education. Though I am quite wary of AI, it has been helpful to me when doing research. Tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard can process more complex search queries than a typical search engine. As an intern whose responsibilities often include finding specific and obscure pieces of information, AI has certainly been useful. In an increasingly digitized world, online learning is now more popular and extensive than ever. It has helped me understand subjects I struggle with and enhanced my interest in subjects I love. Though YouTube and Coursera are what work for me, there are many other educational platforms online to explore. As I work toward my degree, I'm sure to utilize more of these resources.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Jan 1, 2025. Winners will be announced on Feb 1, 2025.