HomeVigilant Torch Scholarships

Vigilant Torch Scholarships

Since 2015....

464

Scholarships

$830,000

Total Amount Awarded

Colonel Lackey Service Scholarship

The Colonel Lackey Service Scholarship was endowed in 2026 by family and friends of Colonel (U.S. Army Retired) John G. Lackey III and his wife, Kay, in recognition of COL Lackey’s lifelong service to our Nation.

COL Lackey’s commitment to excellence as an Army Intelligence and Special Operations professional, leader, servant, and mentor left a lasting impact on the U.S. Army Special Operations community, The Citadel, and countless individuals he supported, mentored, and loved.

This scholarship honors his legacy by encouraging the next generation of servant leaders as they prepare for meaningful service to their communities and to the United States.

Scholarship Description

The Colonel Lackey Service Scholarship is a $15,000 merit- and need-based award for eligible high school seniors, undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-graduate students.

Applicants should demonstrate a strong service orientation, financial need, character under pressure, and a commitment to public service after graduation, with an emphasis on military or federal service.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a child, grandchild, or spouse of a Vigilant Torch Foundation member.

Applicants must also: Demonstrate financial need, have a minimum GPA of 2.0, be committed to serving the United States through military or federal service, be prepared to participate in a virtual interview, if requested by the Scholarship Committee.

Application Requirements

Applicants will submit:
- A needs statement
- Letter of recommendation
- Responses to short-answer questions
- A statement of intent for their service path
*Additional details provided within application itself.

Timeline

May 22, 2026 | Application period opens.
June 12, 2026 | Application period closes.
June 17, 2026 | Virtual interviews may be conducted, if required.
June 24, 2026 | Scholarship awardee and those not selected will be notified
July 15, 2026 | Scholarship funds will be disbursed no later than this date

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

SGM Edward C. McKay Scholarship Program
Proposed Pilot Program

The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point has partnered with the Vigilant Torch Foundation to offer the SGM Edward C. McKay Scholarship Program. This scholarship program offers the unique opportunity for active-duty Senior Noncommissioned Officers (SNCO) to pursue higher education, while also providing key mentorship opportunities intended to develop future leaders of the U.S. military.

Program Overview
The modern battlefield is rapidly changing. As a result, the way the U.S. military educates and prepares leaders must also evolve.

Each year, one Ed McKay scholar will have the opportunity to receive a master’s degree in security studies at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. The degree program will focus on national and international security problems with several different focus area opportunities.

The scholarship recipient will also serve as a fellow of the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. In this role, the Ed McKay scholar will use their years of combat experience in Special Operations to educate and develop West Point Cadets into future officers and leaders of the U.S. Army.

Become a Sponsor
Individual and corporate sponsors are needed to support the Ed McKay Scholarship program. Donors will help ensure the U.S. military and its leaders can create solutions for the challenges our nation will face in the future.

Contact Us
For additional information on this scholarship program or to become a sponsor, contact scholarship@vigilant-torch.org.