‘Support for Veterans’

While serving with the Air Force since 2019, Celeste Hernandez has split her duties between serving her country and pursuing a bachelors degree in biological sciences with a focus on pre-veterinary medicine.

An upperclassman at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, Hernandez heard about the VFW’s "Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship" program through a fellow service member and friend, who encouraged her to apply.

“We both decided to apply, inspired by the program's support for veterans,” said Hernandez, who served with the 437th Operations Support Squadron (OSS) in Charleston, South Carolina. “I was honored to receive $5,000 toward my 2023 fall semester from the VFW.”

With a year left in her program at Arizona State and in the process of separating from active duty to fully commit to her degree, Hernandez hopes to parlay her financial support into a post-graduate degree.

“Post-graduation, my aspirations involve pursuing a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) by applying to accredited veterinary colleges,” Hernandez said. “Ultimately, I aim to specialize in exotic animals and envision opening my own veterinary clinic.”

Hernandez is among the many veterans in pursuit of higher learning who turn to VFW’s "Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship" for a hand up. The scholarship, founded in 2013, provides service members and veterans with the financial assistance they need to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive student loan debt.

Since its inception, the VFW’s Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship has awarded $12.3 million to more than 2,720 veterans and service members wanting to further their education.

For application, details or eligibility guidelines on the VFW’s Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship, visit vfw.org/Scholarships.