Initial Application 2026 (Step 1 of 2)
Welcome to the Vigilant Torch initial application for academic year 2026-2027 Please answer the following questions. Once your initial application is submitted, you will receive an email with further instructions. This is step 1 of 2, you must complete step 2 for a complete application. Complete applications are due by March 16th, 2026 at 11:59PM ET.
Please see below VTF Scholarship Policy memo 2026-2027.
Privacy Statement
All information within this form will be password protected and visible only to limited VTF Board Members. Data will be purged once all scholarships for 2026-2027 academic year are awarded.
Applicant Information
The following information will be used to verfigy identy and gather administrative data used for contact with appliants and payment of awards.
Applicant's Name
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First Name
Middle Name
Last Name
Applicant Email. What is your email address? Please use an email address that is different from your sponsor if you have one.
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Please double check that this email is correct
Applicant Address
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Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Bank Account Number
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Bank Routing Number
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Applicant Phone Number
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Please enter a valid phone number.
Applicant Birthdate
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-
Month
-
Day
Year
Date
Eligibility
The following questions are required to determine applicant eligibility. The applicant must meet these requirements, or the applicant must be the dependent or a grandchild of a sponsor who meets these requirements.
Recommendation:
If you are a dependent, please have your sponsor with you when you answer the questions below to ensure we get accurate information that we need to determine your eligibility.
Eligibility requirements for currently assigned Active Duty Service Members (includes activated Guard and Reserve members)
Service members who are currently assigned must register with VTF at no cost. To register with VTF, please contact membership@vigilant-torch.org. The purpose of registration is for vetting and communications.
Eligibility requirements for all Veterans (FUMs)
Must be members in good standing, which means they registered with VTF to confirm eligiblity for support from the foundation. Please contact membership@vigilant-torch.org to apply.
Eligibility requirements for DoD Civilians
DoD Civilians must be currently assigned to one of our supported units (as of January 15th, 2026). If the DoD Civilian is a FUM, see rule above for FUMs. DoD Civilians must register with VTF for vetting and communications. Please contact membership@vigiltant-torch.org to apply.
What is the name of the Service Member, Veteran, or currently-assigned DoD Civilian who is sponsoring you for this Scholarship? If you are the the UM/FUM DoD Civ, please enter your name and information below.
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First Name
Last Name
Which category best describes you or your sponsor?
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Please Select
Currently serving Active Duty Service Member (includes Activated Guard and Reserves)
Former Unit Member (Service Member)
Currently serving DoD Civilian assigned
Which of the following best describes when you or your sponsor served in our select SOF community?
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Please Select
Currently serving
In the last 5 years
5-10 years ago
10-20 years ago
over 20 years ago
What is your relationship with the Unit Member who is your sponsor for this application?
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Please Select
I am the Unit Member or Former Unit Member
Spouse
Child
Grandchild
What is the phone number of your sponsor?
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If you are the Unit Member or Former Unit Member, enter your phone number
What is the email address of your sponsor?
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If you are a UM or a FUM, enter your email address
Please provide an alternate contact for your sponsor. This can be the sponsor's spouse or friend who can be contacted if the sponsor isn't available to confirm your eligibility
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First Name
Last Name
What is the phone number of your alternate contact?
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Please enter a valid phone number.
Now for a little bit more about you
Which of the following best describes your current educational status?
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Please Select
Enrolled as a High School Student
Enrolled as an Undergraduate student
Enrolled as a Graduate student
Not enrolled in school (not Active Duty)
Not enrolled in school (Active Duty)
Other
What is the highest level of education you have achieved to date?
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Please Select
12 years (Senior in High School)
14 years (Associates Degree)
16 years (Undergraduate Degree)
18-20 years (Graduate Degree)
20+ (Post-Grad)
Have you ever applied for a Vigilant Torch Scholarship?
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Please Select
No, I have never applied
Yes, I applied in the past and received an award
Yes, I applied in the past but I have never received an award
If you have received a Vigilant Torch Scholarship, how many have you received in total?
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Please Select
I have never received an award from Vigilant Torch
1
2
3
4
5
You may only receive a total of 6 awards from VTF
Which of the following programs or institutions are you intending to apply your Scholarship towards?
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Please Select
Two Year Community College
Trade School
Four Year College Degree Program
Five Year College Degree Program
Graduate School
Other Full or Part-time Program
If you have a question as to whether or not your program qualifies, please email scholarship@vigilant-torch.org
What is the name of the educational institution, school, or program that you intend to apply your Scholarship towards?
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If you have been awarded in the past or qualify for an award this year, how do you intend to use these funds to support your academic journey?
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Please Select
Tuition
Room and Board
Books
Technology (laptop, tablet, etc)
Supplies (such as music, art, or drafting supplies)
Transportation
Other
If you have a question as to whether or not your program qualifies, please email scholarship@vigilant-torch.org
How did you learn about the Vigilant Torch Scholarship Program?
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Word of mouth from a VTF member
From my leadership in the Unit
From my sponsor (spouse, parent/grandparent who was in the Unit)
I received an email from Vigilant Torch
Social Media post
Other
If "Other," how did you learn about the Vigilant Torch Scholarship Program?
Please estimate how much your education will cost from August 2026 to August 2027. This is only for our demographic data and will have no impact on your scholarship. Include all education related costs, not just tuition.
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Please Select
Less than $10K
$10K to $25K
$25K to $50K
Over $50K
How much will your student loan be for the academic year August 2025 to August 2026? This is only for our demographic data and will have no impact on your scholarship.
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Please Select
I will not take a loan
I will need a loan, but I have no idea how much
Less than $10K
$10K - $25K
$25K - $50K
More than $50K
Create your unique application code
We require that you create a unique application code. The reason we do this is because reviewers will not be able to see who they are reviewing to remove any potential bias. After you create this code, write it down because you will need it in future steps, and you must include this code on any documents that you upload.
Create a unique application code: Use the LAST letter of your first name, the LAST letter of your middle name, the FIRST letter of your last name, and your 8-digit full date of birth with no spaces, dashes, or slashes. If you don't have a middle name omit that letter.
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For example: John Charles Jones, born 10/01/1990 = NSJ10011990
Ensure that you write down your application code! You will need this for the next step in your application.
One more thing...
By signing this form, you certify that you understand the eligibility requirements and you are eligible to receive a VTF Scholarship. By signing the initial application, you are authorizing members of the VTF Scholarship committee to contact you and/or your sponsor to gather additional information required to confirm eligibility.
What's Next??
After you hit submit, you will receive an email from Jotform confirming your submission (check your spam folder if you don't receive it immediately, however, sometimes it may take up to 24 hours). There will be detailed instructions on this email, ensure that you read all instructions. You will also be redirected to a "thank you page." Take a screenshot of this page to ensure you don't miss any important instructions. If you have any questions or you do not receive an email from Jotform, please contact us at scholarship@vigilant-torch.org.
Submit
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