MISSOURI NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS – 2026

PURPOSE

The Missouri National Guard Association offers one-year scholarships to Annual, Associate, Auxiliary and Lifetime members of the Association or their dependents.  These scholarships are for students wishing to continue their formal education in an accredited technical, junior or a 4-year college or university (traditional or online accredited college) and who have demonstrated scholarship, citizenship and leadership to a high degree.  The scholarships shall be administered through the scholarship committee of the Missouri National Guard Association.  Applications for advanced degrees are allowed.

ELIGIBILITY

Scholarships will be awarded in two categories. Category I is for those individuals who are members in good standing of the Missouri National Guard Association. Category II is for dependents of members in good standing of the Missouri National Guard Association. Individuals who qualify as Guard members and dependents will be considered in both categories and will be awarded only the scholarship of the higher value. The 2025 recipients of a MONGA scholarship are not eligible to apply for a 2026 scholarship. The scholarships will be awarded based on: 

SCHOLARSHIP: 
Each applicant must meet requirements for entrance in the school of his/her choice and the applicant must have received average or above average academic achievement.

CITIZENSHIP: 
Each applicant must show evidence of moral force of character (truthfulness, courage, devotion to duty, unselfishness, and consideration for others). Testimonials from school officials are excellent sources for this information. 

LEADERSHIP:
Each applicant must demonstrate leadership in (a) Home, (b) School, (c) Religious, and (d) Community activities.  In case of two applicants with similar qualifications, extra-curricular activities at school may be considered in order to make a decision.  However, undue emphasis upon extra-curricular or high scholastic achievement is to be discouraged.

NEED:
The need for financial assistance in order to continue with formal educational studies will be considered in cases involving students with similar outstanding qualifications in areas described above.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The following items must accompany the completed application:
1. A copy of the applicant’s high school or college transcript (First semester freshman must submit a copy of their high school transcript.)

2. A letter from the applicant stating the following:

a. The desire to continue his/her education.
b. Description of how he/she has demonstrated scholarship, citizenship, and leadership.
c. Requirement for financial assistance.

3. Two letters of recommendation attesting to the degree to which the applicant has demonstrated scholarship, citizenship, and leadership.

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNTS

A minimum of 6 scholarships will be awarded this year from the Missouri National Guard Association.

Two scholarships will be available for members of the association.
Two (2) in the amount of $1000.00

Two scholarships will be available for dependents of members of the association.
Two (2) in the amount of $750.00
One (1) in the amount of $500.00

One scholarship is sponsored by USAA and is designated for enlisted members of the association.
One (1) in the amount of $1000.00

STIPULATIONS

1. If the winner finds he/she cannot use the scholarship due to an emergency, or for any reason does not use it beginning on later than the second semester of the academic year following the date of the award, the award will go to one of the alternates selected, and the winner may resubmit next year.

2. There must be repayment of the scholarship if the student withdraws from the school by his/her own desire or school administrator’s request. The scholarship committee is given the authority to waive this requirement under personal hardship conditions.

3. The sponsor of a dependent recipient must be a current Missouri National Guard Association.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A SCHOLARSHIP ALL COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKETS MUST BE EMAILED AS A PDF TO  ed@mo-nga.us NO LATER THAN January 31, 2026; OR DELIVERED VIA MAIL TO MONGA Scholarship Committee 2302 Militia Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1203 NO LATER THAN January 31, 2026.

All forms will be sent together. The forms to be sent are: (1) Application for Scholarship; (2) Endorsements Form; (3) Applicant’s transcripts (College or High School); (4) Letter to the Board from the applicant stating desire to continue education and description of demonstrated leadership; (5) Two letters of recommendation. Applicants may telephone or text any questions or inquiries to the Scholarship Committee at: 573-200-6835 or  ed@mo-nga.us.