Required Documents
The DD214 (Member-4) form is one of the required military service documents for our application. The National Archives can provide copies of military records. The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit and is not associated with the National Archives or the Marine Corps; and unfortunately, we do not have the capability to coordinate with them to obtain military records. If you do not currently have this document and you request but do not receive in time, we invite you to apply for our scholarship in future years once you have obtained a copy.
If your required document is more than two pages (for example, the first and second page of your tax document), it must be uploaded as one PDF file. It cannot be uploaded as two separate pages.
Need help converting multiple pages into one PDF? Click here for free apps.
www.ilovepdf.com is a free online tool that merges and splits PDFs and converts photo files to PDFs. No installation required.
Below are free apps for Apple and Android devices that convert photos to PDFs:
New ApplicantsYou’re a new applicant if you were not awarded a scholarship in the 2024-25 academic year. Tax Document Military Parent Service DocumentTranscriptPhotographOther Docs You Might Need | Renewal ApplicantsYou’re a renewal applicant if you were awarded a scholarship in the 2024-25 academic year. Tax DocumentTranscript |
Tax Documents
Dependent vs. Independent Status
Determine your dependency status here: studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency.
Answer the following questions with yes or no:
- Were you born before January 1, 2002?
- Have you ever been married?
- Have you ever served in the U.S. armed forces (currently or previously)?
- Do you currently have children or legal dependents?
- Are you or have you been in foster care or been a dependent of the court?
If you answered NO to all the statements above, click here for the document you need as a DEPENDENT student.
Dependent Students
Document you need: Your parent’s 2023 Federal Taxes (all pages of Form 1040)
Click for an example document
- File your own taxes? You’re still required to provide your parent’s Form 1040 for our application. Not living with your parents, being responsible for your own educational expenses, or not being listed on your parent’s tax forms doesn't change our requirements.
- Where is your name on the document? Your name should appear in the Dependents box of your parent’s 1040. If it doesn’t then you’ll need to provide your parent’s taxes (form 1040) AND your own taxes (form 1040), all in one merged file. Use www.ilovepdf.com for help combining PDF files.
- What about my military parent’s taxes? You’re not required to provide the taxes for your qualifying military parent unless that’s the parent that claims you.
- Parent’s divorced? Submit the tax document you’re listed/claimed on.
- More than 4 children in your family? Provide the ‘Statement of Dependents’ with your parent’s taxes.
- Unacceptable forms: IRS Form 1040EZ, Summary pages, Form 1040-ES, Form 1040-X.
Families that don’t File Taxes
If your parent(s) don’t file taxes and you’re not claimed on any other tax form, you must submit a 2023 IRS Verification of Non-filing for your family OR complete a Statement of Non-filing of a Federal Tax Return form which can be found within the application.
If you submit a Statement of Non-Filing, you will need to complete IRS Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) and provide our office with a 2023 IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter before a final award decision can be made. It is encouraged to provide your 2023 IRS Verification of Non-filing with your application rather than the Statement of Non-filing Form to provide a timely award decision.
If you answered YES to any of the statements above, click here for the document you need as an INDEPENDENT student.
Independent Students
Document you need: 2023 Federal Taxes (all pages of Form 1040)
Click for an example document
- Acceptable forms: IRS Form 1040, IRS Form 1040A, and IRS Form 1040EZ
Filing your own taxes, not living with your parents, being responsible for your own educational expenses, or not being listed on your parent’s taxes doesn’t change our requirements.
Families that don’t File Taxes
If you don’t file taxes and you’re not claimed on any other tax form, you must submit a 2023 IRS Verification of Non-filing for your family OR complete a Statement of Non-filing of a Federal Tax Return form which can be found within the application.
If you submit a Statement of Non-Filing, you will need to complete IRS Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) and provide our office with a 2023 IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter before a final award decision can be made. It is encouraged to provide your 2023 IRS Verification of Non-filing with your application rather than the Statement of Non-filing Form to provide a timely award decision.
Tax Documents
Dependent vs. Independent Status
Determine your dependency status here: studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency.
Answer the following questions with yes or no:
- Were you born before January 1, 2002?
- Have you ever been married?
- Have you ever served in the U.S. armed forces (currently or previously)?
- Do you currently have children or legal dependents?
- Are you or have you been in foster care or been a dependent of the court?
If you answered NO to all the statements above, click here for the document you need as a DEPENDENT student.
Dependent Students
Document you need: Your parent’s 2023 Federal Taxes (all pages of Form 1040)
Click for an example document
- File your own taxes? You’re still required to provide your parent’s Form 1040 for our application. Not living with your parents, being responsible for your own educational expenses, or not being listed on your parent’s tax forms doesn't change our requirements.
- Where is your name on the document? Your name will appear in the Dependents box of your parent’s 1040. If it doesn’t then you’ll need to provide your parent’s taxes (form 1040) AND your own taxes (form 1040).
- What about my military parent’s taxes? You’re not required to provide the taxes for your qualifying military parent unless that’s the parent that claims you.
- Parent’s divorced? Submit the tax document you’re listed/claimed on.
- More than 4 children in your family? Provide the ‘Statement of Dependents’ with your parent’s taxes.
- Unacceptable forms: IRS Form 1040EZ, Summary pages, Form 1040-ES, Form 1040-X.
Families that don’t File Taxes
If your parent(s) don’t file taxes and you’re not claimed on any other tax form, you must submit a 2023 IRS Verification of Non-filing for your parent(s) OR complete a Statement of Non-filing of a Federal Tax Return form which can be found within the application.
If you submit a Statement of Non-Filing, you will need to complete IRS Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) and provide our office with a 2023 IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter before a final award decision can be made. It is encouraged to provide your 2023 IRS Verification of Non-filing with your application rather than the Statement of Non-filing Form to provide a timely award decision.
If you answered YES to any of the statements above, click here for the document you need as an INDEPENDENT student.
Independent Students
Document you need: 2023 Federal Taxes (all pages of Form 1040)
Click for an example document
- Acceptable forms: IRS Form 1040, IRS Form 1040A, and IRS Form 1040EZ
Filing your own taxes, not living with your parents, being responsible for your own educational expenses, or not being listed on your parent’s taxes doesn’t change our requirements.
Families that don’t File Taxes
If you don’t file taxes and you’re not claimed on any other tax form, you must submit a #application.taxyear# IRS Verification of Non-filing for your parent(s) OR complete a Statement of Non-filing of a Federal Tax Return form; this document can be found within the application.
If you submit a Statement of Non-Filing, you will need to complete IRS Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) and provide our office with a 2023 IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter before a final award decision can be made. It is encouraged to provide your 2023 IRS Verification of Non-filing with your application rather than the Statement of Non-filing Form to provide a timely award decision.
Military Service Document
Click on your military parent’s status below for the document you’ll need.
My parent is no longer serving in the Marine Corps/Navy
Document you need: DD214 (Member-4) form Click for example document
- The DD214 is provided to your parent upon discharge from the military and should be used if your parent is no longer serving.
- The Character of Service on the DD214 must read: HONORABLE. No other character of service is accepted.
Character of service can be found using the table below. The form number/date appears in the bottom left corner of the DD214.
- DD Form 214, Feb 2022: Box 26
- DD Form 214, Feb 2009: Box 24
- DD Form 214, Feb 2000: Box 24
- DD Form 214, Nov 88: Box 24
- DD Form 214, 1 Jul 79: Box 24
- DD Form 214, 1 Nov 72: Box 9e
- DD Form 214 MC (1900), 1 Jul 66: Box 13a
- DD Form 214, 1 Nov 55: Box 13a
- Service prior to 1950: Use NAVPERS 553 or NAVMC 78PD
*Note: not all forms are displayed
- If the qualifying Marine/Sailor served prior to 1950, the following can be provided: NAVPERS 553 or NAVMC 78PD.
- Some DD214s don’t show the character of service. That means the document is not the final version. Your parent can obtain a final version at: www.archives.gov/veterans.
- The following cannot be accepted in lieu of the DD214: Honorable Discharge Certificate, DD214 member-1 forms (or short forms), DD214s that don’t indicate the "Character of Service", letters from Veterans' Affairs, disability documents, duty orders, or military IDs.
- Children of reservists will need to provide a copy of their parent’s Career Retirement Credit Report (see "Other Docs You Might Need").
Document you need: Marine Corps or Navy DD214 Click for example document
Even though your parent is serving on active duty in another branch of service, we will need your parent’s Marine Corps or Navy DD214 to verify their service in one of those branches.
- The Character of Service on the DD214 must read: HONORABLE. Details on the DD214 can be found here.
- Is the DD214 you’re referencing missing the character of service?
The document you have may not be the final version. Your parent can obtain a final version at: www.archives.gov/veterans. - The following cannot be accepted in lieu of the DD214:
- DD 256 Discharge Certificate
- DD 214 Member-1 forms (or short forms), including those where the Member-1 form is overlaid on top of the Member-4 page
- DD 214 document that doesn’t clearly and legibly indicate the Character of Service
- Documents from the Department of Veterans Affairs
- Duty orders
- Military IDs
- Documentation for your parent’s military service in an alternate branch of service
My parent is currently serving on active duty or is a drilling reservist
Document you need: Statement of Service Click for example document
- The Statement of Service must be dated within 90 days of March 1, 2025.
- It must include the military parent’s full name, current rank, and entry date.
- It must be on official letterhead and signed by the Adjutant, Personnel Officer, Executive Officer, or Commanding Officer of your parent’s current unit (not signed by your military parent).
- The following cannot be accepted in lieu of the Statement of Service: duty orders, military IDs, Honorable Discharge Certificate, DD214 forms, letters from Veterans Affairs, or disability documents.
My parent was killed in action, killed in training, or killed in service
Document you need: DD1300 / Report of Casualty Click for example document
- This document is provided to your family upon the death of your military parent.
- If you don’t have a copy of this document, you can obtain one at: www.archives.gov/veterans.
Document you need: Association Document AND DD214 (Member-4) form
You’ll need to provide your grandparent’s DD214 AND the association document verifying your grandparent is a member of the association for which you're applying.
If you’re the child AND grandchild of a Marine, complete the application as the child of a Marine instead of as a grandchild!
- An association document can be: membership listing, membership card, or other document showing your grandparent’s membership with one of the following:
- 531 Gray Ghost Squadron Association
- Marines’ Memorial Association
- USMC/Combat Helicopter Association
- The Character of Service on the DD214 must read: HONORABLE. No other character of service is accepted.
You can find the character of service using the table below. The form number/date appears in the bottom left corner of the DD214.
- DD Form 214, Feb 2022: Box 26
- DD Form 214, Feb 2009: Box 24
- DD Form 214, Feb 2000: Box 24
- DD Form 214, Nov 88: Box 24
- DD Form 214, 1 Jul 79: Box 24
- DD Form 214, 1 Nov 72: Box 9e
- DD Form 214 MC (1900), 1 Jul 66: Box 13a
- DD Form 214, 1 Nov 55: Box 13a
- Service prior to 1950: Use NAVPERS 553 or NAVMC 78PD
*Note: not all forms are displayed
- Some DD214s don't show the character of service. That means the document is not the final version. Your grandparent can obtain a final version at www.archives.gov/veterans. If your grandparent is deceased, the document can still be requested using the link.
- The following cannot be accepted in lieu of the DD214: Honorable Discharge Certificate, DD214 member-1 forms (or short forms), DD214s that don’t indicate the "Character of Service," letters from Veterans' Affairs, disability documents, duty orders, or military IDs.
Transcript
Your transcript (official or unofficial) must include:
- Completed Fall 2024 grades
- Your first and last name
- Name of your school
- Cumulative GPA
Screenshots are acceptable IF the items listed above can be seen in one screenshot. Microsoft Word, text, or editable documents aren’t acceptable. Additionally, degree audits cannot be accepted.
GED recipients: provide a copy of your GED if you haven’t attended college or career training since earning your GED.
Transcript
Your transcript (official or unofficial) must include:
- Completed Fall 2024 grades
- Your first and last name
- Name of your school
- Cumulative GPA
Screenshots are acceptable IF the items listed above can be seen in one screenshot. Microsoft Word, text, or editable documents aren’t acceptable. Additionally, degree audits cannot be accepted.
GED recipients: provide a copy of your GED if you haven’t attended college or career training since earning your GED.
Photo
Let’s put a face to the name! As part of the application, you’re required to provide a photo of yourself. Your photo isn’t used to determine eligibility but it is an important visual for donor/investor relations.
Here’s what we require:
- High resolution (at least 500 KB or 300 dpi)
- A clear full-face view (no hats, sunglasses, or distracting elements)
- Suitable for publications including our website, newsletters, donor communications, and/or event materials
DO NOT upload selfies, cropped photos, or photos with distracting elements in the background such as people, pets or messy backgrounds.
Examples can be viewed at https://www.mcsf.org/photo-guidelines/.
Other Documents You May Need
Grandparent Association Document
If you’re applying as a grandchild of a Marine, refer to “I am applying as a grandchild” in the Military Parent Service Document section.
If you’re the child AND a grandchild of a Marine, complete the application as child of a Marine instead of a grandchild.
Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL) Documentation
If your parent was medically retired from the military, provide documentation of your parent’s assignment to the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL). This determination is made by the Marine Corps/Department of Navy and isn’t made by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Don’t provide documents from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) Documentation
If your parent was placed on the temporary disability retired list (TDRL), provide documentation of your parent’s assignment to TDRL. This determination is made by the Marine Corps/Department of Navy and isn’t made by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Don’t provide documents from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Military Service Document – For yourself (if you served)
If you’re currently serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces, then you’re required to provide military service documentation for yourself.
Applicants currently on active duty or drilling reservists
Document you need: Statement of Service for yourself
- The Statement of Service must be dated within 90 days of application submission.
- It must be on official military letterhead and signed by the Adjutant, Personnel Officer, Executive Officer, or Commanding Officer of your current unit (not yourself).
- The following cannot be accepted in lieu of the Statement of Service: duty orders, military IDs, Honorable Discharge Certificate, DD214 forms, letters from Veterans Affairs, or disability documents.
Applicants no longer serving
Document you need: DD214 (Member-4) form for your yourself
- The DD214 is provided to you upon discharge from the military and should be used if you’re no longer serving in the military.
- The Character of Service on the DD214 must read: HONORABLE. No other character of service is accepted.
- DD Form 214, Feb 2022: Box 26
- DD Form 214, Feb 2009: Box 24
- DD Form 214, Feb 2000: Box 24
- DD Form 214, Nov 88: Box 24
- DD Form 214, 1 Jul 79: Box 24
- DD Form 214, 1 Nov 72: Box 9e
- DD Form 214 MC (1900), 1 Jul 66: Box 13a
- DD Form 214, 1 Nov 55: Box 13a
- Some DD214s don’t show the character of service on the form. That means you don’t have the final version of the document. You can obtain a final version online at: www.archives.gov/veterans.
- The following cannot be accepted in lieu of your DD214: Honorable Discharge Certificate, DD214 member-1 forms (or short forms), DD214s that don’t indicate the ‘Character of Service,’ letters from Veterans' Affairs, disability documents, duty orders, or military IDs.
You can find the character of service on your DD214 using the table below. The form number/date appears in the bottom left corner of the DD214.
*Note: not all forms are displayed
Proof of Relationship to Qualifying Marine
We may require additional documentation verifying your relationship to your qualifying military parent. Acceptable documentation typically includes:
- Dependent identification card showing the qualifying parent as the sponsor
- Birth certificate
- Combination of birth certificate and marriage certificate
- Proof of legal name change for the applicant or qualifying parent
- Legal adoption paperwork
Reservist Documentation
If your qualifying military parent served in the Marine Corps or Navy Reserves, you will need to provide one of the following: Career Retirement Credit Report (CRCR), Transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) letter on DOD letterhead, or Official Marine Corps or Navy Retirement letter. If your military parent needs a copy of their CRCR, they can obtain a copy from their Marine Online Account at mol.tfs.usmc.mil/mol.
What is required:
- Must show your military parent’s active/inactive history.
- Must have your military parent’s full name
Click for example document of the CRCR, Transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) letter on DOD letterhead, or Official Marine Corps or Navy Retirement letter.
Additional Documents
Our office may require an additional document not listed above to help determine your eligibility for a scholarship. Be sure you’re checking your e-mail daily because you’ll have limited time to respond with the requested documentation.
The Character of Service on the DD214 must read: HONORABLE. No other character of service is accepted. The version you provide MUST include the character of service.
Character of service can be found on Member-4 and Service-2 Forms using the table below. The form number/date appears in the bottom left corner of the DD214; Member-4 and Service-2 is indicated in the bottom right corner.
- DD Form 214, Feb 2009: Box 24
- DD Form 214, Feb 2000: Box 24
- DD Form 214, Nov 88: Box 24
- DD Form 214, 1 Jul 79: Box 24
- DD Form 214, 1 Nov 72: Box 9e
- DD Form 214 MC (1900), 1 Jul 66: Box 13a
- DD Form 214, 1 Nov 55: Box 13a
- Service prior to 1950: Use NAVPERS 553 or NAVMC 78PD
*Note: not all forms are displayed
Is the DD214 you’re referencing missing the box number indicated above?
The document you have may not be the final version. Your parent can obtain a final version at: www.archives.gov/veterans.
You can upload the Confirmation Page of your request from Archives in place of the DD214 to show the document has been ordered. It’s your responsibility to provide the final document once it has been received. Our scholarship award decision cannot be finalized until this documentation is received.