This fall, the University of Missouri System was selected as a University Partner of the Pat Tillman Foundation.  The mission of the Pat Tillman Foundation is to invest in military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships – building a diverse community of leaders committed to serving others.  The Foundation was formed to honor Pat Tillman, who left his career as an NFL athlete to serve as a U.S. Army Ranger following the attacks of 9/11.  He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he was killed in 2004.  

The Pat Tillman Foundation selects up to 60 Tillman Military Scholars each year and has invested $10 million in its scholars since the program began in 2008.  The scholars chosen demonstrate clear academic and career goals, extraordinary leadership potential, and a deep desire to create positive change through their work in the fields of medicine, law, business, policy, technology, education, and the arts.

These renewable scholarships cover direct study-related expenses, including tuition and fees, books and a living stipend.  Award amounts are determined based on application strength and existing financial need.

UMKC students eligible to apply include:

• Veteran and active-duty military service members
• Honorably discharged of pre- and/or 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
• All applicants must plan to be enrolled full-time in a degree program (Bachelor’s degree, Graduate, or post-graduate) for the 2015-16 award year.

The application for the 2015-2016 academic year will open on February 3, 2015 and close on March 3, 2015 at 11:59pm PT at www.PatTillmanFoundation.org/apply.  Those interested in learning more about the scholarship and the foundation can visit the Pat Tillman Foundation website.