Requirements

College/School Eligibility:

  • Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Brooks School of Public Policy
  • Architecture, Art and Planning
  • Arts and Sciences
  • Bowers CIS
  • Continuing Education
  • Engineering
  • Graduate School
  • Human Ecology
  • Industrial and Labor Relations
  • Law
  • SC Johnson Business - Dyson
  • SC Johnson Business - Hotel
  • SC Johnson Business - Johnson
  • Veterinary Medicine

Class Year Eligibility:

  • First Year (undergrad)
  • Second Year (undergrad)
  • Third Year (undergrad)
  • Fourth Year + (undergrad)

Open to:

  • Cornell Undergraduate Students
  • Cornell Graduate/Professional Students

GPA Requirements:

Minimum GPA: 3.00

Though this application does not require a Cornell endorsement, applicants are encouraged to work with the Office of National Fellowships as they prepare to apply. Krista Saleet advises this opportunity, ks2334@cornell.edu.

Deadline:

Final National Deadline: February 15, 2025

Application Information:

In order to best prepare for completing the application, please have the following information available during the process: military service history, educational history, enrollment plans, and expected academic/living expenses and income for the upcoming academic year.

The following documents will need to be uploaded in a digital file format to the application portal:

  • Documentation of military service and/or community impact as a military spouse. All discharged service members must provide their most recent DD-214 (please block out your SSN). Active Reservist or National Guard applicants may provide alternate military service verification forms. Note: all submitted military service verification forms will undergo validation.
  • Résumé including education, work, public service history, recognitions and awards earned.
  • Responses to (2) essay questions exploring the following areas: military and public service motivation and experiences; and educational, career and service ambitions.
  • Character recommendation from a third-party
  • If an applicant progresses, we will request the following additional information at junctures in the selection process: student aid report from FAFSA; (2) photos from military service or with your spouse; institutional financial aid award letter; and completion of a background check. Please download our background check policy.

All Tillman Scholar applicants must complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for funding.

Eligibility Requirements:

The following candidates may apply to become a Tillman Scholar:

  • Veteran and active-duty military service members
    • Honorably discharged of pre-and post-9/11 service
    • From all branches of the U.S. Military including National Guard and Reserve
  • Current spouses of veterans or active-duty service members, including surviving spouses
  • Service members or spouses pursuing a degree as a full-time* student:
    • Undergraduate (Bachelor’s or above)
    • Graduate or professional degree
    • At a public or private, U.S.-based accredited institution

*Full-time as determined by your institution and program of study

Application Process:

The application portal can be accessed here

Awardees are selected based upon the following criteria:

  • Educational and career ambitions
  • Record of military service and/or community impact as a military spouse
  • Record of personal achievement
  • Demonstration of service to others in the community
  • Desire to continue to serve others and make a positive impact on your community
  • Leadership potential
  • Compelling, thoughtful, genuine and thorough essay question responses 

Contact: 

Krista Saleet, Office of National Fellowships, ks2334@cornell.edu