The ALA offers 15 $5,000 Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarships that aid the children of our servicemembers and veterans with financial support to pursue higher education. To learn more, go to www.ALAforVeterans.org/scholarships. 
 
Rachel Anderson from Alaska received a 2026 Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship to help her pursue a bachelor’s degree in aviation science at Southern Utah University (SUU). Eligible through her parents — both U.S. Air Force veterans — the scholarship will assist Anderson’s career goal of being an emergency helicopter pilot. SUU’s program will provide Anderson the means and support to obtain her helicopter license and the specialty training required for her to enter the workforce.

How does this scholarship benefit you?
This scholarship will help me cover my college costs so that I have more flexibility in how I want to use my aid. This is especially the case since flight fees for my degree are expensive. 
 



What advice do you have for others in the transitional phase from high school to college — especially military children?
Research your options. I didn’t realize just how many scholarship opportunities are available to military dependents. I’d also recommend starting early — when you’re a sophomore or junior — researching the different schools you might be interested in, what they require for applications, deadlines, things like that. It really helped to practice essay writing for scholarship applications too. Over the last year, I’ve done courses on financial management to prepare for real-world things, like loans and managing my assets. In my senior year, I’ve been working to set short-term and long-term goals for the steps to being a college student to prepare for my freshman year. It is important, though, to make sure to still live in the moment, even while you’re preparing for the future. 
 
What would you like ALA members to know about this scholarship’s impact?
This is a generously sized scholarship that is flexible in how I can use it to cover my college expenses. The application process was straightforward, and the scholarship committee was very responsive and easy to get a hold of. 
 
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I want to say “Thank you” for awarding this scholarship to me. I am grateful and will do my best to make the most of what I was given.