The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities and financial assistance to the children of U.S. Marines and Navy Corpsmen, with a focus on those who have been wounded or killed in combat.
Here’s an overview of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation:
Contents
Education for Military Families
The foundation’s primary mission is to ensure that the children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen have access to quality education. It offers scholarships to help cover the costs of post-high school education, including college and vocational training.
Financial Assistance
The foundation provides both need-based and merit-based scholarships. These scholarships help students pay for tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses. The foundation’s support extends to undergraduate and vocational programs.
Honoring Sacrifice
One of the foundation’s significant focuses is on the families of Marines and Navy Corpsmen who have been wounded, injured, or killed in service to their country. By supporting these families, the foundation pays tribute to the sacrifices made by military personnel.
Wide Range of Scholarships
The foundation offers various scholarship programs tailored to the diverse needs and aspirations of military families. These programs can cover different aspects of education, from tuition to specific academic fields or vocational training.
Long-Term Commitment
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is dedicated to providing sustained support throughout a student’s educational journey. Scholarships can be renewed annually, ensuring that students have ongoing financial assistance.
Community and Mentorship
Beyond financial support, the foundation fosters a sense of community among its scholarship recipients. It also provides mentorship opportunities and connects students with resources to help them succeed academically and professionally.
Impact and Significance
Empowering Education:
The foundation’s scholarships empower military families to pursue higher education and career opportunities that might otherwise be financially challenging to attain. This support not only benefits individual students but also strengthens the broader community.
Honoring Service:
By focusing on the children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen who have sacrificed for their country, the foundation honors the legacy of military service and ensures that the next generation has the tools to succeed.
Community Building:
The foundation creates a sense of community among its scholarship recipients, fostering connections and support networks among military families. This community-building aspect is a crucial element of the foundation’s impact.
Application and Selection Process:
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has specific eligibility criteria and an application process that students must follow. This typically involves submitting transcripts, letters of recommendation, financial information, and essays that highlight the student’s goals and the impact of their military family background. The foundation’s selection committee reviews applications to identify the most deserving candidates.
Programs and Scholarships
Heroes Tribute Program:
This program is specifically designed to support the children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen who have been killed or wounded in combat since September 11, 2001. It provides substantial scholarships to these students to help cover the costs of their higher education.
Legacy Scholarship Program:
The Legacy Scholarship Program extends its support to children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen who are pursuing undergraduate education, regardless of their parents’ service status. These scholarships are based on both need and merit.
This program recognizes the critical role of Navy Corpsmen who serve alongside Marines. It provides scholarships to the children of Navy Corpsmen, extending the foundation’s support beyond just Marine families.
Vocational Scholarships:
In addition to traditional four-year college scholarships, the foundation offers vocational scholarships for students pursuing certificate programs, associate degrees, or trade schools. These scholarships are geared towards helping students gain valuable skills and enter the workforce.
Post-9/11 GI Bill and Fry Scholarship Assistance:
The foundation helps eligible students access benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, which provides educational assistance to the children of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.
Impact on Students
Educational Opportunities:
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation empowers students to pursue higher education, whether it’s a traditional college degree or vocational training. This educational support not only opens doors for individual students but also has a broader impact on their families and communities.
Reducing Financial Barriers:
College costs can be a significant barrier for many students. The foundation’s scholarships help alleviate these financial burdens, making education more accessible to military families.
Support Network:
Beyond financial assistance, the foundation provides students with a network of peers who share similar backgrounds and experiences. This community aspect can be invaluable in providing emotional support and a sense of belonging.
Mentorship and Resources:
The foundation connects students with mentors and resources to help them succeed academically and personally. These resources can include academic support, career guidance, and leadership development opportunities.
Selection Process and Application:
The selection process for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation involves reviewing applicants’ academic records, financial need, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and other relevant materials. The foundation’s selection committee carefully evaluates applications to identify the most deserving scholarship recipients.
Latest News
MARINE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH THE BALTIMORE RAVENS FOR SALUTE TO SERVICE MONTH
November campaign raises awareness & funds for scholarships awarded to children of Marines
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Oct. 30, 2023) – The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF) today announced a partnership with the Baltimore Ravens for Salute to Service month, highlighting the work of both organizations in supporting our military members. The Ravens host three home games in November, including their Salute to Service game vs. the Cleveland Browns on November 12 at M&T Bank Stadium.
The MCSF’s mission is to honor Marines by providing scholarships for their children attending post-high school, undergraduate, and career and technical education programs in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. For the 2023-2024 academic year, MCSF awarded $10.8 million in scholarships to 2,758 children of Marines nationwide — the largest number of scholarships and highest dollar amount ever awarded in one year in its more than 60-year history. A special website has been set up with more details: www.MCSF.org/Ravens
During the Ravens’ Salute to Service game vs. the Cleveland Browns, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and the Ravens will work together to honor military families with a special moment during the game, allowing members from the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation’s community to participate in holding the American flag on the field for the National Anthem.
The partnership will also produce a “Pancakes and Pushups” event with 98 Rock. The station’s morning show “Justin, Scott and Spiegel” will broadcast live from Jimmy’s Famous Seafood on November 10, the 248th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps. The celebration will include the traditional cutting of the birthday cake with the iconic Mameluke sword used in Marine dress blues.
“The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and the Baltimore Ravens are proud partners in honoring the service of Marines by supporting their children’s higher education,” said Ted Probert, Lieutenant Colonel USMC (Ret.) and current President and CEO of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. “But Marines don’t rest until the job is done. We estimate there are close to 20,000 eligible children nationwide and we are steadfast in pursuit of our goal to reach even more families in the years to come.”
UNDERGRADUATE/ASSOCIATE SCHOLARSHIP TIMELINE
- January 1 – Application opens
- March 1 – Application deadline
- May 31 – Award decisions e-mailed to students
- August 1 – First batch of scholarship payments sent to schools (subsequent batches sent approximately twice a month)
- November 1 – Award Acceptance deadline
- December/January – Transfer paperwork due (if applicable)
In conclusion, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation plays a vital role in supporting the education and future of military families, especially the children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen. By offering a range of scholarship programs, it empowers these students to pursue their educational and career goals, while also creating a supportive community and providing mentorship opportunities. The foundation’s impact extends well beyond individual scholarship recipients, strengthening military families and communities across the nation.
