S-3 Viking Association Perennial Scholarship now established with Tailhook Educational Foundation (TEF)!
In June 2024, the first-ever S-3 Viking Association Scholarship will be announced by TEF. Each year a $3,000 scholarship will be awarded. Selection preference will be given to applicants with a family history of service in the S-3 community, if otherwise qualified in all respects.
To qualify for a Tailhook Educational Foundation scholarship, an individual must graduate from high school and be the natural, step, or adopted child or grandchild of a current or former (U.S. Navy / U.S. Marine Corps / U.S. Coast Guard) Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer, or Naval Aircrewman. Also eligible are individuals or children/grandchildren of individuals who are serving or have served on board a U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier. Eligible applicants must also be accepted for undergraduate enrollment at an accredited college.
Through generous donations, the S-3 Viking Association Scholarship currently has a balance of over $63,000! But, we’re not done yet! We are now targeting a goal of reaching $70K, which will allow an annual scholarship of $3.5K to be awarded. The good news is, as we build toward the $70K goal through your donations, TEF has agreed to immediately award our scholarship at the $3.5K level beginning in 2026 and continuing through 2031! TEF is doing this by tapping into their general fund.
The Viking Association encourages our incredible members continue to step up and help us reach our new goal. We’re grateful to the many members who have generously supported the Scholarship effort to date and we encourage everyone to join us!
Many members have committed to annual donations as a way to support the Viking Association scholarship benefitting the future S-3 community legacy. As a side note, each new $10k level reached adds another $500 to the annual scholarship award amount ($70k = $3.5k scholarship, $80K = $4k, $90K = $4.5K, etc.)
As a another side note, in the 2026 tax year, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) which introduced a new, permanent above-the-line deduction for non-itemizers, allowing individuals to deduct up to $1000 ($2000 for married couples) in annual cash donations. Above the line means you can deduct the contribution even if you take standard deduction.
Please see the "S-3 Scholarship fund" link at the top for more details, including a link to donate directly online. We also have information for those over 73 on how to donate directly using your Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your 401K.
Both the Viking Association and TEF are non-profit organizations and your tax-deductible donation to the S-3 Viking Association Scholarship Fund will create a lasting legacy for our community. Please help!
You can also send your tax deductible donation to the S-3 Viking Association Scholarship Fund at:
The Viking Association, Inc
9889 San Jose Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32257
EIN: 26-2559531
501(C)(19) Organization