The 2014 application period for the ThanksUSA scholarship program has opened. Applications are accepted from 1 April 2014 to 15 May 2014.
Thanks USA scholarships are available to dependent children of US military personnel, aged 24 and under, and to current spouses of military service members. For purposes of this scholarship application, U.S. military personnel are defined as those who have served full-time for at least 180 days since 9/11/01 and all those who have been either killed or wounded in action since 9/11/01. U.S. military personnel are defined as members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard. Members of the military reserves who have been activated to full-time duty and members of the National Guard who have been federalized and who otherwise meet the requirements are both eligible. Retired or discharged service personnel are eligible to apply but must have served 180 days after 9/11/01. Public Health Employees are ineligible to apply.
The student must be graduating high school seniors or high school graduates. Students must have a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, based upon a 4.0 scale.
For dependent children, they must be enrolled full-time, for the entire 2014-2015 school year, in their first undergraduate degree program at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school.
For spouses, enrollment may be full-time or part-time. Spouses may be pursuing a first undergraduate degree at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school. Spouses may also use this scholarship to pursue non-degree licensure/certification programs.
Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- financial need, as calculated by Scholarship Management Services,
- academic record,
- demonstrated leadership and participation in school,
- church and community activities,
- a statement of goals, and
- unusual personal or family circumstances.
- Preference will be given to children or spouses of service personnel killed or injured during active duty.
ThanksUSA offers 500 scholarships each year, and each scholarship has a value of $3,000. The funds may only be used for direct educational expenses and will be paid directly to the school. The scholarship is not automatically renewable, but you may apply again for future years.
The scholarship application is fairly lengthy, and it requires supporting documentation. I'd recommend you get started now so that you have plenty of time to fulfill all the application requirements. The application deadline is 15 May 2014.
I hope that many of you apply, and please let me know if you are awarded a scholarship!
