Douglas J.J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship

The Douglas J.J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Ira​q Conflicts Scholarship (VAIC)​ is designed to provide financial assistance to United States armed forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, and their son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, or spouse attending a Maryland postsecondary institution.  

Application Timeline:

• Opening Date: The 2025-2026 academic year application opens April 15, 2025.
• Closing Date: The 2025-2026 academic year application will close on April 1, 2026.
• Notification Date: While specific notification dates are not provided, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants are advised to submit all required materials promptly to ensure timely processing. 

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for the VAIC scholarship, an individual must be a member of the Uniformed Services of the United States who served in Afghanistan or contiguous air space, as defined in federal regulations, on or after October 24, 2001; or in Iraq or contiguous waters or air space, as defined in federal regulations, on or after March 19, 2003. Individuals may apply if they are:

• A veteran who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, as defined above.
• An active duty member of the armed forces who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, as defined above.
• A member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States or the Maryland National Guard who was activated as a result of the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts and served, as defined above.
• A son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, or spouse of:
  • A veteran or active duty member of the armed forces who is serving or has served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, as defined above.
  • A member of a reserve or Maryland National Guard who was activated as a result of the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts and served, as defined above.
• Applicants must be Maryland residents that have been accepted for admission or enrolled in a regular undergraduate program at an eligible Maryland institution, or be accepted for admission or enrolled in a 2-year terminal certificate program in which the coursework is acceptable for transfer credit for an accredited baccalaureate program at an eligible Maryland institution.
  • Residents of Maryland include active members of the United States armed forces, their spouse, son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter who are stationed in the State of Maryland or whose home of residency is Maryland.
  • Students must be enrolled as either a full-time (12+ credits per semester) or part-time (6-11 credits per semester) undergraduate student
• If a applicant chooses to file the FAFSA or MHEC One-App for Undocumented Students, it must be completed by March 1 of each year or the applicant will be ineligible.

Application Process & Requirements:

Applicants must submit the online application through the MHEC One-App on the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) by visiting https://mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us. The online application and all required documents must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance by the closing date.

The following documentation is required for each applicant:

• Spouse of the Veteran
  • Marriage certificate
  • Documentation of military orders  indicating service in Afghanistan/Iraq
• Child/Step-child of the Veteran 
  • Birth certificate
  • Documentation of military orders indicating service in Afghanistan/Iraq
• United States Armed Forces  Active Duty 
  • Copy of current official military orders documenting service in Afghanistan/Iraq
• United States Armed Forces - Veteran 
  • Copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) documenting service in Afghanistan/Iraq
• United States Armed Forces - Reserve Component 
  • Copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)  documenting service in Afghanistan/Iraq
• Maryland National Guard 
  • Copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)  documenting service in Afghanistan/Iraq

Note: All required documents will be requested and submitted online through each applicant's MDCAPS account.

Award Amount:

• Awards are made annually, with renewal applicants given first priority.  Eligible applicants who are veterans shall be given priority over dependent or spouses. Within priority groups, applicants will be ranked according to application complete date.
• The award amount may not exceed 50% of the annual tuition and mandatory fees and room & board of a resident undergraduate at the four-year public institution of higher education within the University System of Maryland, other than the University of Maryland Global Campus and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, with the highest annual expenses for a full-time resident undergraduate.

On Campus: Up to $8,699

With Parents: Up to $5,067

Off Campus:  Up to $5,637

• Scholarships awarded under this program shall supplement any federal education benefits for which a recipient qualifies as a result of an individual's military service or status as a dependent of a member of the armed forces or of a veteran of the armed forces.
  • The funds may be used at any eligible Maryland institution to pay for educational expenses including tuition and mandatory fees, and room and board.
• Funds may not be available to award all eligible students.  
• The total amount of financial assistance that you receive, including State financial aid and Veterans Educational Benefits, may not exceed your cost of attendance, as determined by your institution.

Required Documentation:

• If a spouse of a veteran
  • Marriage certificate
  • Documentation of military orders indicating service in Afghanistan/Iraq
• If a child/stepchild of a veteran
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Documentation of military orders indicating service in Afghanistan/Iraq
• United States Armed Forces  Active Duty
  • copy of current official military orders documenting service in Afghanistan/Iraq
• United States Armed Forces  Veteran
  • copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)
• United States Armed Forces  Reserve Component
  • copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)
• Maryland National Guard
  • copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)

Note: The DD214 military orders or other official documentation must clearly indicate service in Afghanistan/Iraq or contiguous waters or airspace.

Renewal Requirements:

• Renewal students do not need to reapply.

A recipient is eligible to receive a renewal award for up to 4 years of full-time enrollment or 8 years of part-time enrollment if the recipient:

• Continues to be enrolled in an eligible program at a Maryland postsecondary institution;
• Continues to be a Maryland resident; and
• Continues to make satisfactory progress toward a degree and maintains the standards of the institution.
• If a recipient chooses to file the FAFSA or MHEC One-App for Undocumented Students, it must be completed by March 1 of each year.