Eligibility
Eligible veterans must:
- Be an honorably discharged United States military and Coast Guard veteran.*
- Have obtained the grade of E-4 or above.*
- Be an applicant or admit to one of the Vanderbilt on-campus, graduate degree programs listed on our degree programs page.
*Candidates must be honorably discharged prior to the end of the fall semester of their first academic year.
Program Specifics
Bass Scholars share their military experiences in a range of campus service activities designed to foster military-civilian exchanges and expose the greater student body to military values, character, and mission focus. The program values academic and military excellence, distinguished service, and the potential to positively impact society.
- Each scholar receives $30,000 per year intended to complement, not replace, education benefits available to individual veterans (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, etc.).
- Eligible veterans must meet Vanderbilt admissions requirements and deadline(s) to be eligible for consideration by the Scholar Selection Committee.
- The Scholar Selection Committee will select scholars based on the excellence of military records, personal video statement, and their potential to positively impact society after graduation.
- The Bass Military Scholars Application window is open from August 1st to February 15th annually. For example, candidates interested in entering summer/fall 2025 may start applying on August 1, 2024, and have until February 15, 2025, to submit their application and required materials.
- New scholars are notified of selection by April 1st.
- Upon enrollment, the program requires Bass Scholars to participate in at least two meaningful leadership/mentorship activities each semester.
Bass Military Scholars News
A Defining Road Trip
They crawled through mud and climbed over hurdles. They worked together to solve puzzles in which they were the pieces.