WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TORCH SCHOLARSHIP?

View our Scholarship Program Policy.

Eligibility

Members of Vigilant Torch and their immediate family members, to include grandchildren, are eligible for the TORCH Scholarship.  The membership must be current.  Active Duty members and their immediate families are eligible if they are assigned within of our select Special Operations community at any point during the application window.  Membership is not required in this situation. 

Awards

The number of awards each year is dependent on the number of applications and resources available.  Previous awards ranged from $500 to $10,000.  Award amount is determined by a competitive process.

Process

During the application window, applicants will fill out an application each year.  Applications will be rated against each other anonymously to determine the award amount.  The link to the application process will be available on this page during the application window.

Application Window

The application window for the Academic Year 2025-2026 is now closed.  Check back in early 2026 for updates!

In conjunction with the Vigilant Torch Association and the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, the SGM Edward C. McKay Scholarship Program recognizes active-duty Senior Noncommissioned Officers (SNCO) for their excellence, innovation, and leadership potential. With your help, the Ed McKay Scholars will be developed for operational and strategic leadership positions in the joint and interagency national security policy environment by providing them the opportunity to receive a master’s degree in security studies at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service while serving as Fellows of the United States Military Academy at West Point. As Fellows of USMA, the McKay Scholars will help to educate and develop West Point Cadets by imparting their real-world military leadership experience onto the Army’s future leaders.