To provide a “bright” future applicants must provide:

• Veteran Status: Must be a U.S. Citizen and resident and show proof of veteran status (honorable discharge).
  • If a veteran-connected applicant: Must be spouse, domestic partner, or child of a veteran with mental illness.
    
    
• Academic Record:

  Applicants must meet one of the following academic criteria and provide supporting documentation:

  1. High School / GED Applicants

  • Proof of high school graduation (minimum 2.8 GPA) from a U.S.-accredited institution, or GED certificate.
  • Upload: Official high school transcript or GED.

  2. Post-Secondary Students (Undergraduate)

  • Upload previous year’s official transcript, which must include:
    • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
    • University seal
    • Registrar’s signature
    • Date of issue

  3. Incoming Graduate-Level Applicants

  • Must provide proof of a completed Bachelor’s degree.
  • Upload an official transcript from a U.S.-accredited college or university, including:
    • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
    • University seal
    • Registrar’s signature
    • Degree earned and date awarded
      
      
  • Note: If the degree is still in progress, a transcript-in-progress is required. A final official transcript must be submitted upon enrollment.

  4. Returning Graduate-Level Applicants

  • Upload previous year’s official transcript from a U.S.-accredited college or university, including:
    • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
    • University seal
    • Registrar’s signature
    • Date of issue
      
      
• Verification of Enrollment: Acceptance or enrollment in a US accredited institution for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year.
• Care Team Recommendation: A letter from a member of your care team (e.g., LCSW, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, VA Case Manager, etc.) attesting to your readiness for further education. An official digital attestation by a licensed treating professional (MD, LCSW, or VA Manager). This attestation must confirm:
  
  - For Applicants in Treatment: Your current mental health treatment status and your readiness for further education.
  
  - For Dependents: Your relationship to a parent or spouse currently being treated, or has been treated within the last two years, for mental health challenges.

• Your Story: A personal essay of no more than 500 words reflecting on the following prompt:
  
  "David believed education was the key to a bright future. How has your experience with mental illness (personally or through a close relationship with a suffering veteran) shaped your life and career goals, and how will this scholarship help you build your bright future?"
  
  NOTE TO APPLICANTS: While we value your honesty, we encourage you to focus your essay on your growth, your resilience, and your future goals rather than just the clinical details of you/your veteran’s diagnosis.

• BONUS: Personal Engagement: Active participation in extracurricular activities or community commitments.

2026 Scholarship Timeline

Process

1. Register

Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.

2. Log In

Log in to the application with your email and password.

3. Create

• Create your online application and complete all the questions on the form.
• Write the listed 500 word essay on the topic provided.
• Upload any certified transcripts:

  High School / GED Applicants

  • Must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale) from a U.S.-accredited institution, or provide a GED certificate.
  • Upload: Official high school transcript or GED.

  College / University Applicants (Undergraduate)

  • Must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Upload: Previous year’s official transcript, including University seal, Registrar’s signature, Date of issue
  • Note: Current freshmen may submit a first-semester transcript, if applicable.

  Vocational / Trade School Applicants

  • Must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Upload: Official transcript from a U.S.-accredited institution, including Institution seal, Authorized signature and Date of issue
• Upload your supporting documents validating your military veteran or dependent status.
  • Veteran Applicants: Must submit a copy of the Form DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).
  • Dependant Applicants: Must confirm possession of a DD Form 1173 (United States Uniformed Services Identification Card) by entering the nine digit benefits number on the back of the card.
  • Redact the following:
    • Social Security Number
    • Home address
    • Detailed incident/circumstances of death
    • Any internal military codes
• Upload supporting documents validating your enrollment and financial need.
  • A copy of the FAFSA Submission Summary.
• Digital recommendation by a treating licensed professional (Therapist, Social Worker, etc.) attesting that you were/are a patient within the past two years and they recommend you as a qualified applicant for the educational scholarship.
  

  An official digital attestation by a licensed treating professional (MD, LCSW, or VA Manager).This attestation must confirm:

• For Applicants in Treatment: Your current mental health treatment status and your readiness for further education.
• For Dependents: Your relationship to a parent or spouse currently being treated, or has been treated within the last two years, for mental health challenges.
  
  
• (Optional) Upload valid certificates supporting two community service activities engaged in during the past 12 months. Include the organization supported, a brief description of the activity, and proof of number of service hours completed for each activity.

4. Save

During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is completed, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.

5. Submit

On completion, save your Application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column.

If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Program Administrator.