Vanderbilt University welcomes all honorably discharged U.S. Military and Coast Guard veterans with service in the grade of E-4 and above to apply for the Bass Military Scholarship.
To be eligible, an honorably discharged veteran must:
- Be a new, full-time student to a participating Vanderbilt University graduate/professional program of study (currently enrolled, part-time and distance learning students are not eligible).
- Apply and be admitted to one of the participating Vanderbilt University graduate/professional school programs (see Degree Programs page).
“Honorably discharged U.S. Military and Coast Guard veterans” includes the following:
- Active duty service members who have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Military or Coast Guard by the first class day at Vanderbilt University. Service members must provide a Member 4 copy of their DD 214.
- Active duty service members who are on transition leave on the first class day at Vanderbilt University, contingent on an honorable discharge. Service members must provide a letter from their commander with their transition timeline from active duty.
- Reserve Component members of the Ready Reserve with a DD 214 for honorable service on Active Duty Other than Training in the grade of E-4 and above. Active Duty for Training and State Active Duty do not qualify (see note 1). Service members must provide a Member 4 copy of their DD 214. Scholars may remain in the Ready Reserve while concurrently participating in the Bass Scholars Program (see note 2).
- Active Guard Reserve service members are eligible and follow the same eligibility requirements as active duty service members provided they possess a DD 214 for honorable service on Active Duty Other than Training in the grade of E-4 and above. Service members must provide a Member 4 copy of their DD 214.
Note 1: Department of Defense Instruction 1215.06, March 11, 2014, defines active duty categories. Active Duty for Training includes Initial Active Duty Training (for example, Basic Training, Basic Officer Leader and the Officer Basic Courses), Annual Training, Other Training Duty (additional schools to maintain or increase military skills). Active Duty Other than Training includes: Active Duty Operational Support, Involuntary Active Duty, Active Guard and Reserve, and Federal Service (Presidential Call Up).
Note 2: If selected, reserve component service members can remain in the National Guard or Reserves in a Ready Reserve status while attending graduate school. The Ready Reserve is comprised of the Selected Reserve (one weekend training per month and two weeks annually), Individual Ready Reserve (recall only), and the Inactive National Guard (recall only).