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Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Grants Record Number Of Awards

Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF) has announced that it has awarded the largest number of scholarships and the highest total dollar amount for those awards in its more than 60-year history.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, the MCSF will award $10.8 million in scholarships to 2,758 children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen nationwide. That’s almost 150 more recipients than during the previous academic year.

Founded in 1962, the MCSF is the nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships for military children. Since its inception, it has awarded approximately 55,000 renewable scholarships valued at nearly $200 million for students attending higher education institutions, including those enrolling in career and technical education programs.

Recipients of MCSF’s scholarships come from all 50 states in the country. About 90% of them graduate from college, much higher than the recent national average of 62.3%. MCSF Scholarship recipients have achieved an average college GPA of 3.43.

Historically, about 40% of recipients are first-generation college students, and 45% pursue STEM degrees. All qualified applicants who meet MCSF’s eligibility requirements receive a scholarship to further support their education.

Statistics about the new cohort of scholars have not been finalized, but over the years, North Carolina, California, and Texas have been the states with the most recipients. Last year,

  • 68% of recipients were female, and 38% were male;
  • 40% were first-generation college students;
  • 85% of their military parents were veterans, 13% were active-duty, and 2% had died in service; and
  • The average family income of recipients was comparable to a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps with 18+ years of service, about $65,000 per year.

“We are thrilled to be awarding our largest group of scholars in the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation’s history. Raised on the values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, we are confident these children of Marines have incredible potential, and it is our honor to invest in their future,” said Ted Probert, Lieutenant Colonel USMC (Ret.) and current President and CEO of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, in a news release.

Probert added, “Marines don’t rest until the job is done. We estimate there are close to 20,000 eligible children of Marines nationwide and we are steadfast in pursuit of our goal to reach even more Marine families in the years to come.”

Last year, Fred Smith, a Marine veteran and the founder and former CEO of FedEx, gave $65 million to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, the largest private gift ever received in its history. That gift has helped fund the substantial increase in the number of scholarships that could be awarded this year.

Read more: Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Grants Record Number Of Awards (forbes.com)

If You Can, You Must Scholarship Initiative

More than 14 years ago, Dakota Meyer, a U.S. Marine serving in the War in Afghanistan, risked his life to bravely save the lives of U.S. and Afghan forces in the Battle of Ganjgal. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the first living Marine in more than forty years to receive the award. Since leaving active duty, Dakota has embraced opportunities for continued service. Through his partnership with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, the “If You Can, You Must” Scholarship will provide educational scholarships to the children of Marines and inspire the future leaders of America.

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