Anchor Scholarship Foundation helping family members

East and West Coast Sailors searching for extra college cash need look no further. The Anchor Scholarship Foundation (ASF) is an organization, which provides thousands of dollars in scholarships for the family members of Sailors who’ve served in the U.S. Pacific or Atlantic Fleets for at least six years, said ASF Secretary Treasurer, Elise Greene.

“The purpose is really just to provide money to the dependents of surface Sailors to further their education,” she said.

The ASF only recently began accepting scholarship applications from West Coast Sailors family members. The organization was known as the Surface Atlantic Scholarship Foundation until July of 2004, when it was reorganized to include all surface forces servicemembers under the command of both fleet commanders, Atlantic and Pacific.

“We were trying to reach surface Sailors all across the nation, not just on the East coast,” said Greene. “We thought it would be important to open the access up to all surface Sailors.”

Over the last year, ASF has given out scholarships to 24 students totaling $52,000. Last year’s recipients on average received between one and four thousand dollars for higher education. Students are chosen based upon four categories, said Greene.

“Selection committee reviews applications and awards scholarships based on academic proficiency, character, extracurricular activity and financial needs. Scholarships are awarded in varying amounts based on that information.”

Applicants must be the family member of a Sailor who’s served a minimum of six years in a unit under the administrative control of Commanders, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Atlantic or U.S. Pacific Fleet. The candidate’s must attend an accredited four-year college or university and intend to work toward a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts.

Applicants may be a high school senior or a college student in an accredited school or equivalent educational institution. The deadline for applications is March 15.

“If you have Internet access the best way to apply is to visit our web site at http://www.anchorscholarship.com,” said Greene.

Those without Internet access can apply through mail by sending their sponsor’s full name and rank, dependent’s name, list of SURFLANT or SURFPAC duty stations and dates on board (from: MM/YY to: MM/YY) and a self addressed 60 cent stamped envelope to:

Anchor Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 9535, Norfolk, Va.  23505.