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Vigilant Torch Scholarships



Since 2015....

399

Scholarships

$679000

Total Amount Awarded

TORCH Scholarship

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TORCH SCHOLARSHIP?


View our Scholarship Program Policy.

Eligibility

Members of Vigilant Torch and their immediate family members, to include grandchildren, are eligible for the TORCH Scholarship.  The membership must be current.  Active Duty members and their immediate families are eligible if they are assigned within of our select Special Operations community at any point during the application window.  Membership is not required in this situation. 

Awards

The number of awards each year is dependent on the number of applications and resources available.  Previous awards ranged from $500 to $10,000.  Award amount is determined by a competitive process.

Process

During the application window, applicants will fill out an application each year.  Applications will be rated against each other anonymously to determine the award amount.  The link to the application process will be available on this page during the application window.

Application Window

The application window for the Academic Year 2025-2026 is now closed.  Check back in early 2026 for updates!

SGM Edward C. McKay Scholarship Program
Proposed Pilot Program

The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point has partnered with the Vigilant Torch Foundation to offer the SGM Edward C. McKay Scholarship Program. This scholarship program offers the unique opportunity for active-duty Senior Noncommissioned Officers (SNCO) to pursue higher education, while also providing key mentorship opportunities intended to develop future leaders of the U.S. military.

Program Overview
The modern battlefield is rapidly changing. As a result, the way the U.S. military educates and prepares leaders must also evolve.

Each year, one Ed McKay scholar will have the opportunity to receive a master’s degree in security studies at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. The degree program will focus on national and international security problems with several different focus area opportunities.

The scholarship recipient will also serve as a fellow of the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. In this role, the Ed McKay scholar will use their years of combat experience in Special Operations to educate and develop West Point Cadets into future officers and leaders of the U.S. Army.

Become a Sponsor
Individual and corporate sponsors are needed to support the Ed McKay Scholarship program. Donors will help ensure the U.S. military and its leaders can create solutions for the challenges our nation will face in the future.

Contact Us
For additional information on this scholarship program or to become a sponsor, contact scholarship@vigilant-torch.org.

OUR FAMILY. OUR MISSION. Vigilant Torch supports a unique subset of the Special Operations community and their families through holistic well-being initiatives. Our programs—ranging from mentorship and wellness programs to emergency relief and educational opportunities—are tailored to address the specific challenges of military life, transition to civilian life, and beyond. We provide personalized resources that empower and uplift, making us a trusted, essential resource for those we serve. 

Download Our Brochure

Vigilant Torch Foundation
5680 King Centre Drive, Suite 600
Alexandria, VA 22315