With college tuition at some institutions topping $40,000 a year, getting an education can cause a financial strain on most any family. Add to that, the loss of a parent in war, and a college education seems like a stretch to say the least.

While high casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan have continued to drain government resources that were allotted for scholarships for the dependents of service members and fallen soldiers, dozens of patriotic-minded organizations and foundations have started private scholarship funds for the children of service members.

As a result, in addition to the typical scholarships of which any high school student can apply, that are need-based or academically driven, there are some scholarships designed exclusively for military dependents.  Also many states offer free or greatly reduced tuition rates for the dependents of service members.

Below is a list of some of the military-related scholarships, their eligibility qualifications and guidelines, and application deadlines:

AMVETS Two Year Scholarships
Amount: $2000
Deadline: June 1
Majors/Level of Study: college freshman
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Parent affiliation: Veteran
Info: National Scholarships, AMVETS National Headquarters, 4647 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, Maryland, 20706

General Henry Arnold Educational Grant
Amount: $1000 need-based scholarship
Deadline: March 30; April 15
Majors/ Level of study: undergraduate study
Parent Affiliation: Air Force (career)
Info:  Education Assistance Department, Air Force Aid Society, 1745 Jefferson Davis highway, Arlington, Virg., 22202, or call 703-607-3064  

Scholarship for Children of Military Personnel
Amount: $3500
Deadline: April 1
Majors/ Level of study: all undergraduate majors
Info: Scamp Scholarship Coordinator, Scamp Scholarship Fund, 136 South Fuller Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90036

Airman Memorial Foundation Scholarship Fund
Amount: $1000-$4000
Deadline: April 15
Majors/ Levels of Study: All areas of study
Scholarships are available to single dependent children of retired or currently enlisted members of the Air Force, Air National or Air Reserve.
Info: AFS/AMF Scholarships, Scholarship Administrator, P.O. Box 50, Suitland, Md. 20748

Folds of Honor Scholarships
Amount: varies
Deadline: April 15
Majors/Level of Study: all areas of study
Parent affiliation: This scholarship is for children or spouses of service members who were killed or disabled in the Global War on Terror; POWs or MIAs; or service members who were detained by a foreign government or power; and Purple Heart recipients.
Info: apply online at www.foldsofhonor.com

Army Emergency Relief/MG James Ursano Scholarship
Amount: varies need-based
Deadline: April 1, 2010
Minimum GPA: 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
Other criteria: Must be under the age of 23 and registered in DEERS.
Info: www.aerhq.org to apply

American Legion Legacy Scholarship
Amount: varies based on funds in trust
Deadline: April 15
Majors/Level of Study: all areas of study  
Parent affiliation: eligible to children of service members killed in war on or after Sept. 11, 2001.  
Info: www.legion.org  

For more information and lists of available scholarships visit the following Web sites:  
www.collegezone.com
www.aid.military.com
www.military.com/scholarship

Due to the growing number of applications many of the scholarship to be awarded for the 2010-2011 school year have already closed their applications for the year.