Scholarship program for military children kicks off Published Nov. 3, 2009 By Tammy L. Moody Defense Commissary Agency FORT LEE, Va. -- The holidays are fast approaching, and they can be a fun family time as children away at college come home, and other students get their holiday break. It's also a time for students and parents to apply for the 2010 Scholarships for Military Children Program which began Nov. 3. Scholarship applications are available in commissaries worldwide and online through the link at https://www.commissaries.com and directly at http://www.militaryscholar.org. Since the program began in 2000, it has awarded $7.3 million in scholarships to almost 5,000 children of servicemembers. The scholarship kickoff coincides with National Military Family Month, and is an example of commissaries supporting their local communities by helping to improve the quality of life for military families, said Defense Commissary Agency Director and Chief Executive Officer Philip E. Sakowitz Jr. "Being part of something that makes higher education more affordable for military families is thrilling, as we feel it makes a better future possible for their children," he said. "The program awards $1,500 scholarships to well-rounded, accomplished service members' children, enabling these families to save some on their children's tuition," Mr. Sakowitz said. Only dependent, unmarried children, younger than the age of 21 (age 23 if enrolled as a full- time student at a college or university) of active-duty personnel, Reserve, Guard and retired military members, survivors of service members who died while on active-duty, or survivors of individuals who died while receiving retired pay from the military may apply for a scholarship. Eligibility is determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database. Applicants should ensure that they, as well as their sponsor, are enrolled in the DEERS database and have a current identification card. The applicant must be planning to attend, or already be attending, an accredited college or university full time in the fall of 2010, or be enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program. Applicants should prepare to submit an essay on the following topic: "You can travel back in time; however, you cannot change events. What point in history would you visit and why?" Applications must be turned in to the Offutt commissary by Feb. 17. At least one scholarship will be awarded at every commissary location with qualified applicants. For more information about DeCA's scholarship program, call the Offutt commissary at 294-6784.