Navigating Dolphin Scholarship Fund Eligibility: A Comprehensive Guide

The Dolphin Scholarship Foundation (DSF) provides financial assistance to eligible members of the submarine force community. These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to high school or college children/stepchildren and spouses of members or former members of the submarine force or those who have served in submarine support activities. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the eligibility criteria, specific scholarships, and other important details to help potential applicants navigate the process.

General Eligibility Criteria

Several general criteria determine eligibility for Dolphin Scholarship Foundation grants. These include:

Relationship to the Submarine Force: Applicants must be the children/stepchildren (unmarried and under the age of 24 at the time of the deadline) or spouses of:
- Members or former members of the Navy Submarine Force who have qualified in submarines and have served in the Submarine Force for at least eight years.
- Navy personnel-officer and enlisted-active duty, retired, honorably discharged, or deceased who served within Naval Air Forces.
- Those who have served in submarine support activities.
Sponsor's Service Requirements: The sponsor (the submarine force member) must meet specific service requirements:
- A minimum of 6 years total Submarine military service or 8 years in assignments in support of the Submarine Force (e.g., Submarine groups or squadrons, training and maintenance facilities, Submarine Tenders, etc.).
Applicant's Student Status: Specific criteria apply depending on whether the applicant is a child or a spouse of the sponsor:

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- Children: Must be a high school senior or currently enrolled as a student in a college or an accredited vocational or technical institute; be unmarried and under the age of 24 at the time of the application deadline; and intend to or be enrolled as a full-time student working toward their first Associate's or Bachelor's degree, or be working toward a vocational or technical certification at an accredited institute.
- Spouses: Must intend to or be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student with a minimum of 12 credit hours per year in order to receive their first Associate's or Bachelor's degree at a two or four-year accredited university, or college or be working toward a vocational or technical certification at an accredited institute.
Honorable Discharge: All otherwise eligible retired or discharged veterans must have received an honorable discharge.
Academic and Extracurricular Excellence: All scholars are selected based on academic proficiency and commitment and excellence in school and community activities.
Financial Need: Although not part of the actual selection process, financial need is considered once all financial aid assistance for an applicant has been determined.
Ineligibility: Scholars attending any Military Service Academy are NOT eligible for the Dolphin Scholarship.

Specific Scholarship Programs

In addition to the general Dolphin Scholarship, several specific scholarship programs are administered by the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, each with its own eligibility criteria:

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USS Bowfin Memorial Scholarship

In partnership with the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association (PFSMA), DSF will administer the USS BOWFIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP with applications opening October 1, 2024. Since 1985, PFSMA has granted over $1,300,000 in USS Bowfin Memorial Scholarship grants to well deserving students.

Eligibility: The USS Bowfin Memorial Scholarship shall be awarded to a current or former qualified submariner, or their DOD recognized spouse or child. The sponsor must have served at least 6 years active duty in submarine service OR 8 years of active duty in submarine support activities (Submarine groups or squadrons, training and maintenance facilities, Submarine Tenders, etc…). A minimum of two years of the member’s or sponsor’s submarine service shall have been while permanently assigned to a command based in Hawaii. All otherwise retired or discharged veterans must have received an honorable discharge.
Award Amount: Applicants pursuing a four-year degree are eligible for $5,000 scholarship grants, while those pursuing a two-year degree or vocational/trade certification will be eligible for $2,500 scholarship grants.
Funding: There will be $50,000 in USS Bowfin Memorial Scholarship funds available.

Laura W. Bush Scholarship

Established in 2006 to honor former First Lady Mrs. Laura W. Bush, sponsor of USS TEXAS (SSN 775), this scholarship is awarded to children or stepchildren of current or former crew members of USS TEXAS (SSN 775).

Eligibility: Children or stepchildren of current or former crew members of USS TEXAS (SSN 775).
Award Amount: A total of five $4,000 scholarships may be awarded in an academic year for post-secondary education at the undergraduate level, including vocational training programs.
Renewable: This scholarship is renewable.

USS Colorado (SSN 788) Scholarship

Eligibility: Current or former crew members of USS Colorado (SSN 788) or their spouse, child, stepchild, or a child under legal guardianship.
Award Amount: A total of two $2,000 scholarships may be awarded in an academic year. This is a one-time award for $2,000 split between two semesters awarded as $1000 on August 1 and $1000 on December 1.
Renewable: This is NOT a renewable award.

USS Delaware (SSN 791) Scholarships

These scholarships were established by the USS Delaware Commissioning Committee and the State of Delaware.

Eligibility: Current and former crew members of USS DELAWARE (SSN 791); their spouse, child, stepchild, or a child under legal guardianship of a current or former crew member who has served onboard USS DELAWARE (SSN 791) for a period of six months or more.
Award Amount: This is a one-time award for $3,500 split between two semesters awarded as $1,750 on August 1 and $1,750 on December 1.
Renewable: This is NOT a renewable award.

USS Indiana (SSN 789) Diane Donald Scholarship

Established in 2019 by the USS Indiana Association in honor of Rear Admiral Richard N. Antrim and Chief Machinist’s Mate William Badders, Medal of Honor recipients.

Eligibility: Current or former crew members of USS Indiana (SSN 789) or the DOD recognized spouse or child of a current or former crew member of USS Indiana (SSN 789).
Award Amount: A total of two $3,400 scholarships may be awarded in an academic year. This is a one-time award for $3,400 split between two semesters awarded as $1,700 on August 1 and $1,700 on December 1.
Renewable: This is NOT a renewable award. However, the student may re-apply for the following year and compete with other applicants.

USS Hampton (SSN 767) Scholarship

Established by the commissioning committee of USS HAMPTON (SSN 767) in 1996.

Eligibility: Current or former crewmembers of USS HAMPTON (SSN 767), or the spouse, child or stepchild of a crewmember who has served a minimum of two years aboard USS HAMPTON (SSN 767).
Award Amount: A total of two $1,500 scholarships may be awarded in an academic year. This is a one-time award for $1,500 split between two semesters awarded as $750 on August 1 and $750 on December 1.
Renewable: This is NOT a renewable award.

USS Montana (SSN 794) Scholarship

Established by the commissioning committee of USS MONTANA (SSN 794) in 2024.

Eligibility: Current or former crewmembers of USS MONTANA (SSN 794), or the spouse, child or stepchild of a crewmember who has served a minimum of six months aboard USS MONTANA (SSN 794).
Award Amount: One $2,000 scholarship may be awarded in an academic year. This is a one-time award for $2,000 split between two semesters awarded as $1,000 on August 1 and $1,000 on December 1.
Renewable: This is NOT a renewable award.

Nautilus Educational Assistance Fund (NEAF)

The Nautilus Educational Assistance Fund (NEAF) provides undergraduate scholarships for spouses and descendants of current or former crew members of USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571/SS-168) and Historical Ship Nautilus through The Nautilus Scholarship Foundation.

Eligibility: Spouses and descendants of current or former crew members of USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571/SS-168) and Historical Ship Nautilus
Award Details: The number of awards and the amount of the scholarship may vary annually and will be determined prior to selection each year.

USS Oregon (SSN 793) Scholarship

Established by the commissioning committee of USS OREGON (SSN 793) in 2022.

Eligibility: Current or former crewmembers of USS OREGON (SSN 793), or the spouse, child or stepchild of a crewmember who has served a minimum of six months aboard USS OREGON (SSN 793).
Award Amount: A total of one $3,500 scholarship may be awarded in an academic year. This is a one-time award for $3,500 split between two semesters awarded as $1,750 on August 1 and $1,750 on December 1.
Renewable: This is NOT a renewable award.

USS Washington (SSN 787) Scholarship

Established by the commissioning committee of USS WASHINGTON (SSN 787) in 2018.

Eligibility: Current or former crewmembers of USS WASHINGTON (SSN 787), or the spouse, child or stepchild of a crewmember who has served a minimum of two years aboard USS WASHINGTON (SSN 787).
Award Amount: A total of one $2,500 scholarship may be awarded in an academic year. This is a one-time award for $2,500 split between two semesters awarded as $1,250 on August 1 and $1,250 on December 1.
Renewable: This is NOT a renewable award.

Application Process and Selection Criteria

The Dolphin Scholarship Foundation awards approximately 30-40 new scholarships each year. The selection process is competitive and based on several factors:

Academic Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance.
Commitment and Excellence: Commitment and excellence in school and community activities are crucial.
Financial Need: Financial need is considered after all other financial aid has been determined.

Renewal of Scholarships

Recipients of the Dolphin Scholarships can renew without competing with other applicants.

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