Alexandria, VA - September is back-to-school month for most of the nation and the perfect time for the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) to kick off its 2010 scholarship season. Applications are now available at www.fra.org/scholarship for students to apply for nearly 30 scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year.
FRA's scholarship program has been helping deserving students reach their educational and professional goals for decades, presenting annual awards of up to $5,000 to FRA members, their spouses, children and grandchildren who are pursuing college degrees. The awards are funded through private donations, established trusts and corporate sponsorships, and recipients are selected based on financial need, academic standing, character and leadership qualities. Scholarship applications must be mailed to FRA no later than April 15, 2010.
"We're looking forward to expanding the reach of our existing scholarship program with the launch of a new education foundation in October," explains FRA National Executive Director Joe Barnes. "Thanks to the generosity of our members, legacy gifts and corporate sponsors, the scope of the program has grown substantially since 2000; increasing the number of recipients by more than 50 percent and boosting the monetary value of the awards by more than 260 percent. We believe the FRA Education Foundation will allow us to assist even more scholars through the development of more and perhaps larger scholarships, as well as other educational programs."
In addition to its generous scholarship program, FRA has been an outspoken advocate for enhanced education benefits for service members and veterans. For example, FRA was instrumental in ensuring the new Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit was available to VEAP-era military personnel who previously had no education benefits and allowed transferability of benefits to family members of career service members.
FRA is a congressionally chartered, non-profit organization representing the interests of current and former enlisted members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. In addition to its advocacy work on Capitol Hill in support of enlisted personnel, FRA aids its members with career issues by maintaining close relationships with government agencies and by educating lawmakers about the challenges facing those who serve in the armed forces. The Association also sponsors a national essay contest and assists its members with disaster relief grants.
Learn more about finding scholarships and grants.
