Senator Roberts Supports Program to Help Military Families Receive Scholarships

Press Release

Senator Roberts Supports Program to Help Military Families Receive Scholarships

U.S. Senators Pat Roberts and Max Baucus today called for a federal investment in the ThanksUSA Scholarship Program to provide more educational opportunities to spouses and children of active duty military personnel.

The Senators sent the following bipartisan letter signed by 11 Senators to U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS):

"We are writing to urge the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS and Education to appropriate at least $5 million in FY2010 for the ThanksUSA Scholarship Program. ThanksUSA is a private charity that offers scholarships to the spouses and kids of active duty military personnel, with priority given to the spouses and children of service members killed or injured in combat. Funding for ThanksUSA was authorized in the Higher Education Opportunity Act (P.L. 110-315).

"We believe ThanksUSA needs to be funded at a level of at least $5 million in FY 2010 to continue addressing the educational needs of family members of those serving in the military. This funding would provide need-based scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for children and spouses of active duty military personnel in all branches of service, including Guard and Reserve. All children of service members, up to age 24, and all spouses of active-duty service members are eligible to apply for the scholarships. Applicants are chosen based on academic record and demonstrated leadership, in addition to financial need. Congress provided $4 million in funding for the ThanksUSA Scholarship Program in FY 06.

"Education offers opportunities for all Americans to better themselves and the great nation in which they live. Offering vocational, two year, and four year college scholarships for the children and spouses of active duty military personnel is a crucial Readiness and Retention issue for our Armed Forces. Providing for the entire family is one of the top priorities cited by active duty military personnel in surveys. Improved education can improve the financial stability of these military families across the country."

Senator Roberts, a former Marine, is an outspoken advocate of men and women in uniform and their families.

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