Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation: 2017 a Record-Breaking Year

$7.3 Million in Scholarships Marks All-Time High, Will Empower Children of Marines to Fulfill Potential

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Jun 05, 2017, 14:32 ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 5, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation announced that 2017-18 scholarships will be the highest in its 55-year history, totaling $7.3 million to more than 2,300 students. These funds will provide much-needed and -deserved access to education for the children of Marine and Navy Corpsmen attending post-high school, undergraduate and career technical education programs in all 50 states.

From left to right: Dr. David Shulkin, Secretary of Veteran Affairs; Margaret Davis, President and CEO of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation; Gen Robert Neller USMC, 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps; Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly; and LtGen George Trautman USMC (Ret.), Chairman of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

"Our nation's military families have dedicated themselves to our country, and it is our mission to honor that commitment by educating their children to be the next generation of America's leaders," said Margaret B. Davis, President and CEO, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. "As we celebrate our 55^th year, we are incredibly grateful and proud to be able to say that we're impacting the lives of more Marine families than ever before."

The announcement was made during the Scholarship Foundation's 31^st Annual Washington, DC Celebratory Gala. The event, emceed by CNN's Jake Tapper, brought together significant representation from senior leadership of the Marine Corps, Washington dignitaries, Members of Congress and scholarship recipients to recognize Marines by enabling their children to pursue dreams of a college education.

General Robert Neller USMC, the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, was the event's Military Guest of Honor. Additionally, the Scholarship Foundation honored Major General Arnold Punaro USMC (Ret.) with the Commandants Award, and The Honorable Rodney Frelinghuysen with the Semper Fidelis Award. Also in attendance were scholarship recipients like Cameron Arias, whose award allowed him to graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2016.

"To me, Semper Fi stands for integrity, and it stands for family," said Cameron Arias, son of retired Chief Warrant Officer Leonard Arias and a recent alumnus of the Scholarship Foundation who spoke at the ceremony. "Throughout his career, that's what my Dad stressed to me about the Corps; we're a family. The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation doesn't just offer tuition assistance – they are that family."

About the Scholarship Foundation: Established in 1962, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the Nation's oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships for military children. Since its inception, the Scholarship Foundation has awarded $120 million in scholarships to 40,000 recipients. For more information on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, please visit http://www.mcsf.org/.

CONTACT: Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
Keith Weller
[email protected]
571.384.2814

SOURCE Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation