Kids’ scholarship applications due Feb. 22

Kids’ scholarship applications due Feb. 22

02.08.11

Applications for this year’s Scholarships for Military Children program must be turned in to a commissary by the close of business Feb. 22. Eligible are dependent, unmarried children of active-duty service members, reservists, guardsman or retirees, or survivors of service members who died while on active duty or while receiving military retirement pay. Children must be younger than 21 — or 23, if enrolled as a full-time student in a college or university. Eligibility is determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database, so applicants should make sure that they, as well as their sponsor, are enrolled in DEERS and have a current military ID card. Applicants must be planning to attend, or already be attending, an accredited four-year college or university full time in the fall of 2011, or be enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program. Applications are available at commissaries, and online. Completed applications must include the two-page application form; a school transcript indicating a cumulative, unweighted grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale; and a short (500 words or less) typed essay addressing the topic: “Our nation has a goal of improving health and wellness. What are your ideas, and, more importantly, how do you propose to put these ideas into action in your local community?” At least one scholarship will be awarded at every commissary with qualified applicants. Scholarship awards are dependent on the amount of funds available, but officials anticipate awards of at least $1,500. The scholarship program is a joint effort between the Defense Commissary Agency and Fisher House Foundation, but the funds for the scholarships are donated by commissary vendors, manufacturers, brokers, suppliers and the general public. Every dollar donated goes to a scholarship. In the 10 years of the program’s existence, it has awarded more than $8.3 million in scholarships to more than 5,400 military children. Those with questions about the applications can e-mail militaryscholar@scholarshipmanagers.com or call 856-616-9311.