Mission
Since 1775, Marines have selflessly served America, and for nearly 50 years the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has honored this service by educating their children. The privately-funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization provides scholarships for post-high school education to deserving sons and daughters of Marines with particular attention given to children whose parent has been killed or wounded in action. Additionally, the Scholarship Foundation's Heroes Tribute fund provides up to $30,000 over four years to every child of a Marine, or Navy Corpsman serving with the Marines, who has been killed in combat since September 11, 2001.
History
In 1962, Brigadier General Martin F. Rockmore USMC (Ret) learned of a Marine WWII Medal of Honor recipient who was financially unable to send his child to college. General Rockmore was inspired to create an organization that honored Marines by empowering their children through education. After an initial fundraising event, which sent that one Medal of Honor recipient's child to college, the Scholarship Foundation grew thanks to an enormous volunteer effort. Since that time, 25,000+ scholarships valued at more than $60 million have been given to deserving students, including more than 1,400 for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Today, the Scholarship Foundation has never been more relevant. The ever-increasing cost of a post-high school education has significantly outpaced the salary earned by military servicemembers creating a real need for higher education financial assistance for the children of America's Marines. These families have endured frequent, destabilizing moves, modest incomes and, in some cases, the disability or loss of a parent. They should not have to bear the burden of not knowing how they will afford post-high school educations for their children.
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation delivers a meaningful and lasting expression of gratitude to Marine Corps families through its longstanding commitment to Honoring Marines by Educating Their Children.