For DonorsFor Applicants

Praccess Veterans Education Grant

Funded by
$5,000
1st winner$1,668
2nd winner$1,666
3rd winner$1,666
Awarded
Next Application Deadline
May 15, 2022
Next Winners Announced
May 30, 2022
Education Level
Undergraduate, Graduate
Eligibility Requirements
Career:
Military Veteran
Location:
Los Angeles County, CA residents
Status:
Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) Discharge
Finances:
Debt related to attendance at an accredited community college, 4-year college or university, or graduate school.

For military veterans, the transition to civilian life is often filled with difficulty. According to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute:

  • Student veterans are less likely than non-veteran students to invest time outside of the classroom on activities not essential to the completion of their course as a result of parenting responsibilities, work, and other factors.
  • Student veterans report difficulties transitioning from a military style of technical learning and a hierarchical organizational structure to a university learning environment.
  • Military service members and veterans relocate often due to service, and these frequent moves make it challenging for veterans to establish residency in any one state for purposes of qualifying for in-state tuition rates at public institutions.
  • Student veterans frequently face mental health challenges.

The Praccess Veterans Education Grant is designed to help California veterans transition from military to civilian life by reducing the obstacles to obtaining and benefiting from a post-secondary education.

To apply, you must be a resident of California, with preference for students in Southern California. You must write a personal statement about your military experience, your proudest moments, and any significant obstacles you've faced.

Please also include the following via a link:

  • Copy of DD214
  • VA Benefit Summary Letter (If Applicable)

Special consideration shall be given to students with a service-connected disability, victims of military sexual trauma, combat veterans, and veterans who are experiencing housing insecurity.

Please make sure you have a profile picture.

Selection Criteria:
Essay, Vet, Ambition, Purpose
Published December 27, 2021
Essay Topic

Describe your military experience (e.g. branch of service, MOS, awards, deployments, special assignments) and your proudest moment. Describe the most significant obstacles(s) to your educational and/or professional success and how can this grant help support your goals. Use this as an opportunity to tell a broader story and enhance the committee's understanding of who you are and what makes you stand out.

400–600 words

Winning Applications

Deborah Sloan
City University of SeattleMurrieta, CA
Erica Honda
California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA
Jonathan Rodriguez
El Camino Community College DistrictLong Beach, CA
My time in the Marine Corps was one of the best experiences I have ever gone through. It taught me not only how to be a killing fighting machine but also showed me that I needed to be humble no matter what situation and how to only use the training I received when I needed to. The branch of service that I joined was the Marine Corps and my MOS or Military Occupational Specialty was 0621-Field Radio Operator as well as a 0916- Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor. However I also carried the billet of a 0629 which is a Radio Chief. I did the work and the duties of the Radio Chief but not officially on paper due to the little time in grade and service. Although I was not on paper the Radio Chief I was known as Radio Chief Actual. In order to be the Chief one has to be a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer with the grade of E6 or above. I was given the title as an E4 which is only a Corporal but as a Corporal Chief, I earned the rank of Sergeant which is an E5 in a little under three years. I was nominated to be on Meritorious Promotional Board not only for Sergeant but for Corporal as well and although I did not win on either board I was still proud to be on both and being on those boards helped with my promotions to the next rank. I was able to experience two Unit Deployment Programs (UDP) to Japan where I completed Martial Arts Instructor Training as a an E3, normally one must be an E4 and I also completed the Jungle Warfare Training they held both times that I got to visit the country. It was on my second visit however that I was the Radio Chief in Charge of the Radio Section and was promoted to Sergeant of Marines under Mt. Fuji. Two Awards I received while in the Marine Corps were two Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medals which I received one on the Departure of the second UDP as we left to Japan and the Second one i received once I returned back to the states following the second UDP. I also received three letters of appreciation for my Volunteer work in japan and for my Volunteer work in the Marine Corps Ball 2016. I can honestly the most difficult obstacle I had was getting out. I had no idea why I was getting out the way that I did. It confused me and put a very deep hole in the trust I had for my fellow brothers and to be discarded like nothing to nothing for something I did not do, well I lost myself for a very long time. Then to be added that world with no knowledge of what I was getting myself into made my life that much more difficult but still here I am now still pushing myself and still trying to make things right and to show those who wrongfully accused me that although I ended up still doing what I shouldn't have after the fact that I am still here pushing myself to be better then who I would've been and who I will be and that I'm not a complete failure because now I know through experiences and trial that for sure, I am not just anyone but I can be the inspiration to everyone.
Maleah McCoy
University of Maryland Global CampusGardena, CA
John Contreras
San Jose State UniversityMenlo Park, CA
Marcos Alvarez
Rio Hondo CollegeDowney, CA
Juan Contreras
Mount Saint Mary's UniversityDowney, CA
Jesus Rangel
University of San DiegoChula Vista, CA

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is May 15, 2022. Winners will be announced on May 30, 2022.