The U.S. Army Ranger Association proudly offers students with the opportunity to participate in the USARA Michael B. Ranger Legacy Scholarship Program.  The program is intended to provide financial assistance to help defray the cost of attending an accredited college or university or technical (trade) school.  Recipients may use the award to assist with tuition, books, fees, supplies and room and board and other expenses. 

Scholarships are awarded to the dependents of Rangers.  To qualify, the parent,  spouse, or legal guardian of the applicant must have either 1) served at least 12 months in the 75th Ranger Regiment or one of the Ranger units recognized by the Army’s Institute of Heraldry as within the lineage of the 75th Ranger Regiment; or 2) have graduated from from the U.S. Army Ranger School.

Once qualified, scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit. The USARA Scholarship Committee seeks to recognize whether the individual as a whole embodies the Ranger Spirit.  The Committee acknowledges that no one aspect of a person’s application can accurately exhibit the entire person, and it therefore looks at a multitude of criteria, including not only grades, but also the applicant’s contributions to the community and whether the individual lives up to the tenants of the Ranger Creed.

If you are interested in applying for a Michael B. Ranger Legacy Scholarship, please click here the button below to request an application.

Applications for the Michael B. Ranger Legacy Scholarship Program are subject to terms and conditions set forth at this link.

Michael B. Ranger

Born in Maine, following college Michael B. Ranger was commissioned into the U.S. Army and deployed in support of the U.S. effort in the Republic of Vietnam. From March 4-6, 1969, he engaged an amassed enemy force with direct fire, air strikes, and artillery, and aborted their attack while leading his recon platoon assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. During the battle he was wounded by an enemy mortar round but refused medical attention and continued to control supporting fires. In the early hours of March 5, the enemy launched a human wave assault against his platoon, which by this time consisted of only fourteen men. LT Ranger and his men employed all means at their disposal to repel the attack, and LT Ranger ultimately called fire on his own position as the enemy entered the perimeter. The following day while the patrol base was receiving small arms and mortar fire, LT Ranger was wounded again while engaging snipers in the trees as his men were being extracted from the LZ. He refused to leave the battlefield until all of his men were aboard the helicopters. The Army awarded LT Ranger the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism.

Following a year assigned to the Patrolling Committee at the Ranger Department, CPT Ranger returned to Vietnam to command a company in the 4th Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry. He was again wounded in heavy fighting later that year. Following recovery, he returned to his unit and again suffered a critical wound that resulted in the loss of his right leg above the knee, as well as serious wounds to the left leg.

Following reconstructive surgery, he returned to the Ranger Department Patrolling Committee. During this time CPT Ranger helped to draft the doctrine that forms, in part, the training still performed by Rangers today. Additionally, it is believed that Captain Ranger became the first above-the-knee amputee to maintain his airborne status by continuing to perform training jumps while assigned to the Ranger Department.

After separating from the Army, Mike Ranger continued to provide substantial contributions to the Ranger community. He was elected to serve as the Executive Vice President of the US Army Ranger Association in 2009, and served in the position for approximately eight years. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2006, and thereafter served on the Hall of Fame’s Voting Board from 2009 through 2015. In that capacity, he substantially contributed to improving the Hall of Fame’s stature through his participation in its corporate restructuring in 2011.

Donations

The USARA Michael B. Ranger Legacy Scholarship Program is funded entirely by donations.  The number and value of scholarships awarded is determined by the amount of contributions received each year.  Donations to support the Michael B. Ranger Legacy Scholarship Program may be made by selecting the button below, or by mailing a check to the Association’s postal address.  Please specify “Scholarship Program” in the memo field on your check, or if donating online, in the “Donations Instructions” when using the donation button below. USARA is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit  Organization.