Military Resources!!

FRA Kicks Off 2009 Scholarship Program

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) will host a teleconference on Feb. 11, 2009 to announce the beginning of the Association's 2009 scholarship program. The call, which begins at noon (EST), will highlight eligibility requirements and application guidelines. To participate in the call, dial 1-800-391-1709, and use access code 444143. FRA's scholarship program awards more than $100,000 each year to deserving members, their spouses, children and grandchildren. Awardees are selected based on financial need, academic standing, strength of character and leadership qualities. FRA scholarships are awarded to FRA members, their spouses, children, and grandchildren. To learn more about FRA's scholarship program, visit www.fra.org/scholarship or call 1-800-FRA-1924.

Apply for Free Military Family Retreats

The National Military Family Association is piloting two Operation Purple Family Retreats. These free, four-day retreats are set in a National park where families will have opportunities to participate in fun family-focused activities. These retreats are free and are open to servicemembers and their families who have had a loved-one deployed within the last 12 months. Families who attend will receive a $200 stipend upon arrival to the retreat site to cover cost of travel. For more information, visit the National Military Family Association's Operation Purple Family Retreats webpage or contact Cynthia Clagg at cynthia.clagg@nmfa.org.

Sesame St. Military Family Special

Sesame Workshop will air a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) special on April 1, 2009 that is aimed at helping military families cope with changes. Actor/singer Queen Latifah and singer John Mayer will join Elmo to present, "Coming Home: Military Families Cope with Change." The special carries a message for children whose parents suffered a physical or psychological wound in combat. The half-hour special, which will air at the beginning of the "Month of the Military Child," is a part of Sesame Workshop's "Talk, Listen, Connect" initiative, which began two years ago. The special is scheduled to air Apr.1 at 8 p.m. EST. Please check your local listings for the exact air time in your area.

$1,500 Military Scholarship Deadline Nears

For military parents who have children about to enter or already attend college the opportunity to apply for a $1,500 scholarship through the Defense Commissary Agency's Scholarships for Military Children Program is ending Feb. 18, 2009. Applications are available in commissaries worldwide. You may also fill out an application online at the Military Scholar website, but the website does not have a "submit" button. So you must print a copy of your completed application and drop it off at a commissary. You may also fill the application out by hand. At least one scholarship will be awarded at every commissary location with qualified applicants.

Scholarships for Military Family Members

There are a couple of scholarships for military family member that are currently accepting applications:

• If you have a child who will be attending college or vocational school during the 2009-2010 school year, click here to learn more about the American Freedom Patriot Scholarship Award for Military Dependent Children.
• The Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program, administered by the National Military Family Coalition, has extended the deadline for applications from the spouses of wounded and fallen military members until February 16th.
• The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation offers scholarships to the children of current and former Marines.

Learn about more available scholarships on the Military.com finance blog.