Navy Memorial Scholarship Application 2025-2026

About the Scholarship:

The US Navy Memorial received an endowment from the widow of Chief Petty Officer Galen W. Freise, USN, specifying their desire that the US Navy Memorial award a scholarship to “grandchildren of deceased US Navy Chief Petty Officers (E7, E8, E9)” as deemed appropriate by the US Navy Memorial. The name of the scholarship is the “United States Navy Memorial Scholarship.”

General Eligibility:

The following general criteria shall be used to determine eligibility for consideration for a US Navy Memorial Scholarship:

The applicant/recipient must be the grandchild of a deceased Chief Petty Officer (E7, E8, E9) of the United States Navy or Coast Guard (candidate should be ready to provide the best possible proof)
The applicant/recipient must be selected to attend, or be attending, an accredited two or four-year college or university or vocational/trade school.
Scholarships will be awarded for undergraduate degree programs or vocational/trade credentials only.

Exceptions (ineligible to apply):

Students selected to schools under full-ride scholarship will not be eligible for this scholarship.
Students selected to attend military service academies or are enlisted in the Reserves are not eligible for this scholarship.

Attachments:

Please follow these guidelines when submitting content in attachments:

Include as Attachment A: Honors and Awards
A List of Honors & Awards Received (please specify high school, college, or community)

Include as Attachment B: Extracurricular Activities in School
A List of Extracurricular Activities in School include any office held and # of years participated (please specify high school or college)

Include as Attachment C: Community Activities/Involvement
A List of any Significant Community Activities/Involvement include any accomplishment and #
of years participated

Include as Attachment D: Scholarships
A List of any Scholarships received (please specify amount and duration)

Letters of Personal Reference (not relatives)

Include two (2) letters of personal reference/recommendation. Letters must be signed and should be typed or neatly handwritten on unlined paper in blue or black ink. Letters should include reference name, address, contact number, and email address. At least one letter should be from someone other than a teacher, counselor, or administrator who can provide non-academic insight on the applicant. All required materials must be included in the packet.

Proof of Eligibility
All applicants must provide documented proof of relationship to deceased Grandparent who
was a Chief, Senior Chief, or Master Chief.

Personal Statement
Please attach a 200–500-word autobiographical essay in which you discuss significant
experiences, community involvement, and the qualities of character and leadership important in
achieving your goals. Highlight those personal accomplishments, achievements, and experiences
that have given you considerable satisfaction and have helped you form your character. Be sure
to comment on your aspirations in terms of your education and career goals. Finally, explain the significance that receiving a scholarship would mean in your life. Personal statements are used by the scholarship committee to help select scholarship recipients.

Be sure to include your name on your personal statement in the upper right-hand corner!

How to Apply:

Apply online by clicking the button below OR download the form and mail it to:

United States Navy Memorial
C/O Victor Smith
701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 123
Washington, DC 20004-2608

Pay close attention to the instructions at the top of the application. Applicants under the age of 18 must have parent/guardian permission.

If you have any questions, please contact Victor Smith at vsmith@navymemorial.org.

**APPLICATION and ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS must be submitted below or mailed in and postmarked by April 1**