Must be a dependant child, stepchild, ward or spouse of a Surface Navy Association member.  The member must be in their second or subsequent consecutive year of membership.

Member can be serving, retired or honorably discharged and must be a Surface Warfare Officer pin or Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin.  Qualified members must serve for a minimum of 3 years on surface ships of the U.S. Navy or a Coast Guardsman, Officer or Enlisted, with a permanent Cutterman Pin. Surface ships include carriers, combatants, amphibious, service force, mine force, tenders, and U.S. Coast Guard cutters of all classes.

The 3 years need not be consecutive but must have been served on active duty. 

Scholarship Award is a grant limited to $2000 per year for a maximum of four years provided a 3.0 grade point average
is maintained.

There is no minimum service period for children or spouses of personnel who died on active duty while serving in a surface ship or cutter.

Surface Navy Association scholarships are for studies in an accredited undergraduate or postgraduate institution.  Full-time status may be waived in the case of spouses as long as they maintain a course load of 6 semester hours.