MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. - There are many scholarships and programs available to Marines who choose to pursue an education after the military. The Leadership Scholar Program helps Marines make an easy transition toward getting an education, by providing them with recommendations to top colleges and universities throughout the country.
Under the LSP, Marines have the option of choosing from 200 colleges and universities throughout the United States. Applicants must be active duty, reserve or veteran Marines planning to attend a school as a freshman or transfer student. If an applicant is an active duty Marine, they must be honorably discharged before the beginning of the school semester.
“These are admission seats to some very prestigious schools,” said Karla Cortes, an education services specialist with the education office aboard MCAS Beaufort. “Many of these schools have a two year waiting list for applicants. This allows service members the opportunity to bypass the waiting list if they are selected.”
Seats with LSP affiliated universities or colleges are guaranteed to service members outside the normal application process. This means that service members are not in competition with high school seniors or college students looking to transfer schools.
“I saw flyers about the LSP posted throughout the base, and thought the program could help me,” said Sgt. Joshua Iglesias, the Marine Air Ground Task Force plans chief for Marine Aircraft Group 31. “I needed help finding a good school for the engineering that were located in New Jersey, where I hope to move to when I get out of the Marine Corps. The Program helped me out, put in good recommendations for me, and helped me get accepted to Rutgers University, the best school for my needs.”
In order to apply, applicants must have taken the SAT or ACT within the last eight years. If they have not taken at least one of the tests, or they were taken more than eight years ago, they will need to contact the education office and schedule to take one of the upcoming SAT and ACT tests.
For more information visit http://www.leadershipscholarprogram.com/maredu/.