Gratitude Initiative

Who We Are

The Gratitude Initiative (GI) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit whose mission is to provide educational support and college scholarships to the children and families of military service members, veterans, disabled veterans, and those killed in defense of our country.

GI works with children and their parents around the globe and throughout the United States at NO COST to provide expert and personal college and career counseling and academic support to children beginning as early as the 8th grade.

Our Impact… A Legacy of Gratitude

We cannot say “thank you” enough to these heroes, but one of the greatest ways that we can show our gratitude is by helping provide for their children’s college education.  When students graduate from college, it not only has a positive impact on their life, but on their children, and their children’s children, as well.  It’s an investment in the future of each family we support.  Frankly, they deserve nothing less.

The Gratitude Initiative College Success Academy

GI’s educational programs are delivered fully online but supported by live, degreed experts to provide quality services to our military families wherever they are stationed around the globe!  GI’s programs are 100% FREE OF CHARGE for the families it serves.

College Preparatory Program

  • Step-by-step milestones to complete by grade/semester
  • College and career counseling from live, degreed, advisors available via phone, chat, email
  • Timely email reminders to keep student and parents on track
  • Application and essay reviews
  • PSAT©/SAT©/ACT© Test Prep
  • Financial aid counseling and document reviews
  • Student and parent support from 8th grade through college graduation

Tutoring and Academic Support

  • Math and science tutoring
  • Tutoring sessions delivered online with live, degreed experts
  • Support from 8th grade through 2nd year of college

Scholarships for Post-Secondary Education

In addition to college planning and academic support, GI also provides help with college scholarships for qualified GI students to attend an accredited university or vocational/technical school.

Who Qualifies?... GI serves the families and children of: 

  • Active duty members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
  • Reserve or National Guard members who were activated for active duty service since 9/11/01.
  • Veterans who were honorably discharged from active duty since 9/11/01.
  • Combat wounded or disabled veterans with a service connected disability.
  • Service members who were killed while on active duty.

Did You Know?

Fighting two separate wars since 2001 has taken an incredible toll on our military families.  The highest number of parents ever to serve in the United States military is fighting the longest military conflict in our history.  The impact on American soldiers and their families is unprecedented.

  • Over 6,650 American service members have lost their lives and more than 50,550 have been wounded in action since 2001.
  • Approximately 50,000 children have had a parent killed in action, wounded, or injured during deployment.
  • Since 2001, more than 1 million children have been left behind during parents’ deployments.
  • Approximately 2 million children have a parent serving on active duty.
  • 70% of military families live in civilian communities.
  • 34% of military kids struggle with emotional issues (twice the average rate) and more than half of military kids struggle in school and with academic issues.

How to Apply

  • Students may apply as early as the 8th grade and as late as the first semester of their senior year.
  • Apply online at www.gratitudeinitiative.org/application
  • Check out the video on our application page to learn more about our program and the steps to apply!

GI’s Main Activities Include:

  1. Provide educational services and support to help military children achieve their educational and career goals.
  2. Award scholarship funds to children to attend college or technical school to help make their future dreams come true without the burden of many years of school debt.
  3. Raise awareness and provide services to help children cope with the challenges brought on by having a mother or father deployed overseas for military service or dealing with the disability or death of a parent due to combat action.

Contact Info

Gratitude Initiative

Apply for GI’s Educational Programs 

info@gratitudeinitiative.org  

Eligibility

Career Phase:
Discharges Allowed:
Military Branch:
Programs for Family Members:
  • Military Child
  • Surviving Child
  • Vet Children
Service Counties:
  • Virtual - Online Only
Services Category:
  • Ed - children pre K - 12
  • Ed - Scholarships and Tuition Assistance
  • Youth & Family
VA Disability Rating Requirement:
Vet Plus: