U.S. Army Partners With Thurgood Marshall College Fund To Expand College Education Opportunities For Urban Students

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army has renewed its partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to help ensure New York City area high school students are aware of the college education benefits available through the Army.

As the nation's largest provider of college scholarships, the Army annually grants more than $250 million in merit-based ROTC scholarships for students. The U.S. Army and TMCF partnership began in 2012 and continues to inform educators and students, particularly those with an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines, of the diverse career opportunities available in the Army.

These objectives support the Army's long-term goal of ensuring its officer ranks reflect the nation's diverse population.  African Americans currently represent 16 percent of our age 17-24 High School graduate population but are under-represented in the currently enrolled ROTC cadet population.

"Identifying top quality students is a critical mission to the strength of our Army, and our nation," said Brig. Gen. Maria Gervais, deputy commanding general for U.S. Army Cadet Command. "Together with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, we're working to increase the representation of African American Army Officers. To do this, we must ensure students have direct access to ROTC scholarship information, the diversity of STEM-related and other career fields available to Army officers, as well as the best training and preparation to become our nation's next generation of exceptional leaders."

Launched in 2012, the partnership involves TMCF representatives working with high schools, community-based organizations and other local groups to provide information about the ROTC program to students and key audiences. The goal is to identify and attract highly qualified students with a 3.7 high school cumulative GPA; minimum scores of 1260 SAT (math & verbal combined score) and 27 ACT; and a varsity letter winner or equivalent athletic achievement.

"Through partnerships and innovative programs like this one, we will continue to strengthen the high school to college pipeline for urban students with our focus being in New York City this year," said Johnny Taylor, president and chief executive officer of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. "TMCF is committed to creating the next generation of STEM leaders, and our partnership with the U.S. Army allows us to further empower students to pursue their academic and career goals."

TMCF supports and represents nearly 300,000 students attending its 47 member-schools that include public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), medical and law schools. This is the second year of the U.S. Army and TMCF partnership.

To learn about and apply for Army ROTC scholarships go to www.goarmy.com/rotc.
Find out about Army education programs and the wide variety of Army career opportunities at www.goarmy.com. To learn more about Thurgood Marshall College Fund programs and scholarship opportunities, please visit www.thurgoodmarshallcollegefund.org. 

About Army Marketing and Research Group (AMRG)
The Army Marketing and Research Group (AMRG) is the U.S. Army's national marketing, marketing research and analysis and accessions analysis organization. The AMRG develops innovative and effective ways to: connect with the American public and make the Army more accessible and understood; increase awareness of both the benefits and value of Army service; and motivate the most qualified candidates to choose the Army as their service of first choice.

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SOURCE The U.S. Army