MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – With the average cost of public four-year college tuition costing approximately $22,000, wallets and change purses become skinnier.
The commissary offers a $1,500 scholarship to military children in hopes of easing the burden of tuition expenses.
“As a parent with a child in college and a child who is a senior in high school, I know every penny counts,” said Robert Nagle, the store director of the commissary aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. “It’s not going to pay for a whole year but it’s $1,500 that you don’t need a student loan for.”
To apply for the scholarship, a completed application is required along with an essay on a specified topic. The essay length required is no more than 500 words.
“It’s free to submit the essay and application,” said Nagle. “This is a good scholarship for anyone who applies, whether they are a senior in high school or already in college.”
The scholarship began in 2001, and has given out $10.3 million through 6,500 scholarships. Every commissary gives out scholarships. The number of scholarships given each year depends on the donations to the fund.
Last year, the commissary gave out seven scholarships aboard the air station and hopes that this year they will have the opportunity to do it again.
“In all cases, at the ceremony, the recipients are very bright,” said Nagle. “I can see why each has been chosen to receive the scholarship.”
Scholarship applications and essays must be turned in by Feb. 22 for review. Recipients will be awarded after the school year has ended. For more information, go to
www.militaryscholar.org or
www.commissaries.com or contact the store manager at (858) 577-4516.