The SubForce Scholarship application website represents a collaborative effort between the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and the United States Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation (USSVCF). This partnership was formed to put into motion the shared vision of creating a centralized location for all submarine community related educational scholarship programs and to simplify the scholarship application process for the benefit of submarine community scholarship applicants.
Dolphin Scholarship Foundation grants are available, on a competitive basis, to high school or college children and spouses of members or former members of the submarine force or those who have served in submarine support activities. Current and former members of the U.S. Submarine Force are eligible to apply for certain SubForce Administered Scholarships as well.
Currently, Dolphin Scholarship Foundation sponsors 113 ongoing DOLPHIN SCHOLARSHIPS with an annual grant of $2,600 or $4,000 per student for two to four years of full-time undergraduate studies as well as students pursuing trade/vocational certification. Approximately 25-35 new scholarships are awarded each year. All scholars are selected on the basis of academic proficiency as well as commitment and excellence in school and community activities. Although not a part of the actual selection process, financial need is considered once all financial aid assistance for an applicant has been determined. Since our founding over 60 years ago, Dolphin Scholarship Foundation has granted over 14 million dollars to more than 1,500 outstanding students attending universities and colleges throughout the U.S.
Spouse Scholarships
We understand the hard work and many sacrifices that our military spouses make while supporting their active-duty partners and family. Oftentimes putting their own goals and ambitions on hold. We hope that by offering scholarships to eligible spouses working toward their first undergraduate degree or trade/vocational certification, we can provide assistance in making some of those goals achievable.
"To be associated with such a brave and proud community that is submarines is a humbling experience. As a military spouse and a Dolphin Scholarship recipient, it is my sincere goal to bring pride to my husband, an active-duty submariner, and our family. As my husband continues to serve our country, I will continue to support our community at home. I have committed over the years to providing only exceptional and empathetic patient care and continuing my education with the help of the Dolphin Scholarship will not only benefit myself but more importantly those around me." -- Tara Stevens, 2024 Richard & Carol Hayward Scholar.
Administered Scholarships
DSF now administers the following scholarships: Laura W. Bush Scholarship (USS Texas (SSN 775)), USS Nautilus (SSN 571/SS 168) Scholarship, USS HAMPTON (SSN 767) Scholarship, USS Colorado (SSN 788) Scholarship, USS Indiana (SSN 789) Diane Donald Scholarship, USS Delaware (SSN 791) Scholarship, USS Washington (SSN 787) Scholarship, USS Oregon (SSN 793) Scholarship, USS Montana (SSN-794) Scholarship, and the USS Bowfin Memorial Scholarship. The selection of the recipients for these scholarships is separate from and non-competitive with applicants for the Dolphin Scholarship.
United States Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation (USSVCF) Scholarship Program
The United States Submarines Veterans Charitable Foundation has awarded academic scholarships for the USSVI dependent sons, daughters, and grandchildren of active members of USSVI, for active duty, retired and other veterans who are "Qualified in Submarines". The USSVI membership believes that all young people who are academically qualified for admittance to an accredited college or vocational school should have the financial means to enable them to attend a school of higher education that will allow them to achieve their goals. Over the past 38 years, USSVCF has awarded nearly $1.4 million dollars in scholarships to over 1100 students striving for higher education.
The cooperative agreement between DSF and USSVCF provides a modern and cost-effective approach for a paperless web-based application, review, award, and monitoring of the USSVCF Scholarship Program.