Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Awards $6,000,000 in Scholarships to 1,909 students for the 2012-2013 Academic Year

Annual Scholarship Announcement Ceremony in Washington, D.C. honors Marine children and their families

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On July 10, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, the nation's oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military families, will award more than $6,000,000 in college scholarships to 1,909 Marine Corps children at its 2012 Scholarship Announcement Ceremony. In its 50th anniversary year, the Scholarship Foundation has responded to a growing number of applications for educational aid and increased scholarship awards by 17 percent.    

Since 1962, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has provided more than 30,000 awards valued at over $70,000,000. The Scholarship Foundation honors the selfless service of Marines by educating their children, with particular attention given to those whose parent has been killed or wounded in combat, or who have demonstrated financial need.

This year the Scholarship Foundation saw a 25 percent increase in applications, representing the growing needs of our nation's military families.

"We are a lynchpin in reducing student debt loads of those Marine families who have already sacrificed so much. The Scholarship Foundation honors Marine families by educating their children-in-need, fulfilling family dreams, and making America stronger," said Margaret B. Davis, President and CEO of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.

Among the 2012-2013 recipients are the first 10 students to receive scholarships established by Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Dakota Meyer in honor of the Marines, Navy Corpsmen and Afghanis with whom he served in Afghanistan. The scholarships will be awarded annually in perpetuity to the children of wounded Marines from all conflicts and supported by funds raised through The Dakota Meyer Challenge to America.

"I am honored to work with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and I renew my challenge to America to help me raise an additional $1,000,000 to help give Marine Children a brighter future," said Sgt. Meyer.

The 2012-2013 Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation recipients comprise families that are honorably discharged, active duty, wounded in combat, and killed in action.  For 50 years, the Scholarship Foundation has honored wounded and fallen Marines with scholarships.  This year, 97 students received Heroes Tribute for Children of the Wounded Scholarships and 13 students received Heroes Tribute for Children of the Fallen Scholarships.

Over the years, the support of corporate donors has helped scholarship recipients afford not only college tuition but the many costs associated with higher education.  For the second consecutive year, Hewlett-Packard (HP) will award mini HP computers to 50 scholarship recipients, allowing them to make the most of their studies at their academic institutions.

Deputy Secretary of Education Anthony Miller will address Marine Corps families and scholarship recipients at this year's Scholarship Announcement Ceremony, paying tribute to their incredible resilience and significant academic achievements.

About the Foundation: Celebrating its 50th year, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the nation's oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to U.S. military families. Since inception, the Foundation has provided more than 30,000 scholarships valued at over $70,000,000 to Marine Corps sons and daughters whose parents have been killed or wounded in combat or have demonstrated financial need. The Scholarship Foundation has a four-star Charity Navigator rating and is proud to have been named by Independent Charities of America as 'Best in America' for demonstrating "the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness."  For more information on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation please visit http://www.mcsf.org/.

SOURCE Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation