Terp Vets Alumni Scholarship

Who We Are

Terp Vets is a student veteran organization which accepts all current and former military students as members. Currently we have about 60 active members who continually strive to make positive contributions through community service and engagement across the university. Areas of impact include volunteering to help disabled children with Disabled Sports USA and The HSC Health Care System, performing campus beautification at the Memorial Chapel, and building positive relationships with on-campus student organizations through collaboration. One of the most notable collaborations is "Operation: Stick It" which takes place every September. This is an event in which Terp Vets places American flags on the McKeldin Mall, in conjunction with other student organizations, in remembrance of September 11, 2001.

Our Mission

The purpose of our organization is to leverage our military values, professionalism, camaraderie, and commitment to service into life on campus and in our individual communities. Our project, Terp Vets Alumni Scholarship, will help ease some of the unfortunate financial burdens that some veterans may encounter towards the end of their academic career at the University of Maryland. The scholarship will be awarded to an active member within Terp Vets that follows the values of the organization but is near the end of their VA GI-Bill benefits. While the VA GI-Bill is an outstanding benefit for the Nations past and present defenders, most veterans will deplete this resource prior to graduation. It is our hope that we, as a community, can offset expenses afterwards and allow Veterans to graduate with near $0 debt as the VA GI-Bill intended.

Why should you donate?

The money raised will be awarded to a Veteran who has consumed or is near the end of their VA GI-Bill benefits in the form of a scholarship. A recent University survey concluded 62% of Veterans on campus utilize the GI-Bill. Furthermore, about 30% of that population have at least one dependent to support. It has been noticed Veterans with dependents; consisting of a spouse and children, are taking classes in the Winter and Summer semesters to ensure they receive money to pay for bills and everyday living expense. However, by doing this student Veterans are exhausting their VA benefits quicker leading to funding issues towards the end of their college career. As a result, student Veterans will be faced with financial difficulties in the final months of their degree program. For 41% of Veterans attending UMD, the GI-Bill is their only source of income because they are not working while enrolled in classes. Let us ease the financial burden to ensure Veterans complete their education with minimal impact on their family. Every donation counts and as one of the scholarship creators stated "whether you can give $5 or $5,000, it makes you even more connected to our community long after [the Veteran] graduates". Thank you!

Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents.  Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax deductible as allowed by law.  Please see your tax advisor for details.