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ThanksUSA Announces Annual Scholarships for Military Children & Spouses

Commitment to Military Families Remains Robust Amidst Pandemic
 
McLean, VA (August 6, 2020) – Children and spouses of America’s military are receiving much-needed scholarships for the coming university, college and vocational school season. The announcement came today from ThanksUSA, the national non-profit dedicated to providing needs-based awards to the dependents and spouses of active duty, veteran, wounded and deceased members of all Armed Forces.
 
“Like millions of the nation’s families, our military community has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic that has robbed too many Americans of not only loved ones, but also their livelihoods and education opportunities,” said Jon Rosa, President and CEO of ThanksUSA, in making the scholarship announcement.

​“These scholarships introduce hope into the difficult circumstances in which students and their families find themselves.”
 
ThanksUSA’s scholarships will help ease the financial burden of a post-secondary education for 150 additional scholars in 2020/21, including one Helping Hand Scholarship valued at $34,000 over three years. Before the pandemic, 63 percent of military families reported stress due to their current financial situation, with the top contributor being un/underemployment.* The pandemic has exacerbated employment challenges with half of American adults in households that lost income.** Military spouses and students are among them.
 
“The coronavirus crisis has devastated families in so many ways: unemployment was above 11 percent in June. Students have had to abandon classes and campuses while still having to pay their bills,” said Rosa. “At the same time, our military has been at the forefront of the battle against the virus. ThanksUSA scholarships are one way of saying thank you to our troops and their families.”
 
Scholarship recipients are already finding relief entering the new school term: 
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  • "… this has meant so much to my family and me. I am beyond speechless to be awarded this scholarship and that this will help me reach my goals of becoming a doctor one day. I wish that I could hug you all and show my appreciation, but thanks to Corona, that isn't possible…” Kevin, Army child (Texas)
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  • "I appreciate with all my heart your enormous support. I will continue to study thanks to people like you…”
    Gloria, Army spouse (Texas)
 
ThanksUSA is also expanding its Pathways for Patriots program – virtually for the foreseeable future – that provides academic and professional opportunities for ALL military families. Among the initiatives are mentorship prospects and development projects including seminars on leadership, business acumen, communication and much more.
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​“Military families are resilient in the face of armed conflict, deployment separations and constant moves, but building and ensuring bright futures often require more,” said Rosa.

“ThanksUSA is committed to supporting them, enhancing education and economic opportunities in gratitude for their sacrifices.”
A Scholarship Winner’s Song of Resilience During the Pandemic

​Support for ThanksUSA’s scholarship program comes from individual donors, foundations and corporations including Blavatnik Family Foundation, Strada Education Network, The Kovner Foundation, Pershing Square Foundation, Mizuho, CVS Health, Monster Energy, and RAZR Solutions, as well as the Helping Hand Scholarship Fund and Heartland 4 Heroes.
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* Blue Star Families 2019 Military Family Lifestyle Survey
** CNN/Labor Dept
​Contact
Jon Rosa 
202-643-6175
Jon@ThanksUSA.org

About ThanksUSA
ThanksUSA is a 501(c)(3) organization that honors the men and women of the United States Armed Forces by providing need-based scholarships and pathways to employment for their spouses and children. Since 2006, ThanksUSA has awarded more than $15 million to military families in all 50 states and every branch of the military.