USA Scholarships
Military Child of the Year 2027 - $10,000 Award
The Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Awards 2027 recognize seven outstanding military dependents ages 13 to 18, one representing each branch of the armed forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard. Anyone can nominate a eligible teen, from parents and coaches to teachers and neighbors. Each recipient receives $10,000, a laptop, donated gifts, and an all-expenses-paid trip with a parent or guardian to the April 2027 gala in Washington, D.C., where senior service leaders present the awards during the Month of the Military Child. Nominations for the 19th annual cycle are open now and close 1 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
What is the Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Award 2027?
Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Awards 2027 sit at the center of how the nonprofit celebrates teens who thrive while their families serve. Each cycle names seven winners, one tied to Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard communities. The program is nomination-driven, so a coach, teacher, neighbor, or relative can put a deserving teen forward without waiting for the student to discover the opportunity alone.
The 2027 cycle opened in September 2026 with nominations due 1 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central. Winners fly to Washington, D.C. for the April 2027 gala, receive $10,000 and a laptop on or near that date, and stand on stage while senior leaders from their sponsor branch hand them the award. Families stationed overseas can still participate when the teen meets DEERS dependent rules and can travel during the gala window.
Operation Homefront looks for more than strong grades. Reviewers want evidence of volunteer hours, leadership, extracurricular depth, and the kind of resilience that shows up when families PCS, deploy, or rebuild after loss. Semifinalists supply DEERS documentation and two recommendation letters, then may take part in media opportunities tied to corporate sponsors.
If you are comparing pathways for military-connected students, pair this honor with cash scholarships such as the NAVL Military Scholarship USA 2026, the Education Connection Military Scholarship USA 2027, or the Allied Van Lines Military Scholarship USA 2027. Nomination details and eligibility rules live on the Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year page.
Eligibility
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✓Legal military dependent (DEERS)The nominee must be enrolled as a legal military dependent. Operation Homefront confirms status with a DEERS enrollment form. Children of active-duty, Reserve, and National Guard members qualify, as do dependents of military retirees and KIA/MIA parents who still hold dependent benefits.
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✓Age 13 to 18 at nominationThe child must be between 13 and 18 years old when the nomination is submitted. A nominee who turns 19 before the April 2027 gala remains eligible if they met the age rule at nomination. Children under 13 cannot be nominated.
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✓Branch-aligned nomination categoryEach winner represents one service branch. Nominate under the parent or sponsor branch: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, or National Guard. Reserve and Guard families use the branch category Operation Homefront lists on the form.
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✓Available for April 2027 gala travelThe nominee and one adult guardian must be free to travel to the Washington, D.C. area in April 2027 for the Military Child of the Year Awards Gala. Operation Homefront covers travel and lodging for the recipient and guests per its published travel policy.
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✓Record of achievement and resilienceSelection weighs scholarship, volunteerism, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and how the teen handles military family life. The nomination narrative should show concrete accomplishments, not just general praise.
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✓Not a prior MCOY or Innovation Award winnerPrevious Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year or Innovation Award recipients cannot be nominated again. First-time nominees only.
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✓No Operation Homefront insider conflictsOfficers, directors, employees, and agents of Operation Homefront and affiliated organizations, their immediate family members, and household members are not eligible for client-facing programs, including this award.
Benefits
- Cash award $10,000 per recipient
- Laptop computer Provided at or near the gala
- Additional donated gifts Sponsor-provided items vary by year
- Gala trip to Washington, D.C. Travel and lodging covered for recipient and guests
- National recognition Presented by senior branch leaders at April gala
- Number of winners Seven (one per branch category)
- Tuition paid directly to college Cash prize; not a tuition-only scholarship
- Automatic renewal One-time award per child
Document checklist
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✓Online nomination formComplete the Military Child of the Year nomination at operationhomefront.org/military-child-of-the-year or the linked mcoy portal. Include the child name, age, sponsor branch, volunteer hours, and a short story on resilience, leadership, and achievements.
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✓DEERS proof (semifinalists)Semifinalists submit a copy of DD Form 1172 or the DEERS enrollment application showing the child name and age. Redact Social Security and DoD ID numbers before uploading.
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✓Two letters of recommendation (semifinalists)If selected as a semifinalist, the family provides two recommendation letters from mentors who know the teen accomplishments, such as a teacher, coach, clergy member, or community leader.
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✓Parent or guardian contact detailsNon-parent nominators should collect accurate parent or guardian email and phone information. Semifinalist paperwork routes through the legal guardian.
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✓Achievement summary for the narrativeGather GPA highlights, volunteer hour totals, leadership roles, athletics, arts, or civic projects before you start the form so the write-up stays specific.
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✓Semifinalist media consent readinessSemifinalists must agree to media and donor recognition opportunities. Families should discuss publicity expectations before advancing in the process.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Award?
It is Operation Homefront flagship youth honor program, now in its 19th year. Seven military dependents ages 13 to 18 earn the title Military Child of the Year for their branch, each receiving $10,000, a laptop, additional gifts, and national recognition at an April gala in Washington, D.C.
Who can nominate a Military Child of the Year?
Anyone familiar with the teen can nominate: parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers, coaches, counselors, clergy, or neighbors. If you are not the parent or guardian, Operation Homefront will reach the family directly if the nominee becomes a semifinalist.
When is the Military Child of the Year 2027 nomination deadline?
Nominations for the 2027 award cycle close 1 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. The gala and prize presentation follow in April 2027 during the Month of the Military Child.
Are National Guard and Reserve children eligible?
Yes. Nominate under the branch category shown on the form and confirm DEERS dependent status. Children of military retirees and of service members killed or missing in action also qualify when they remain eligible dependents.
How much is the Military Child of the Year prize worth?
Each of the seven branch winners receives $10,000 in cash, a laptop computer, and other donated gifts. Operation Homefront also pays travel and accommodations for the recipient and guests to attend the Washington, D.C. gala.
What documents do semifinalists need?
Semifinalists upload DEERS proof via DD Form 1172 with sensitive ID numbers redacted and provide two letters of recommendation. They must also agree to media and donor recognition opportunities.
Can a previous winner be nominated again?
No. Prior Military Child of the Year or Innovation Award recipients are ineligible. Operation Homefront staff, board members, and their immediate households are also excluded.
Do Military Child of the Year winners pay taxes on the $10,000?
Tax rules change often. Operation Homefront advises families to ask a qualified tax professional how the cash prize and gifts affect their return.
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