DENVER — The Education Foundation of the National Guard Association of Colorado awarded $25,000 in scholarships to 26 Colorado National Guardsmen and their family members at an awards breakfast at the Renaissance Hotel and Resort.
This event brings the total number of recipients to 200 with a grand total of $200,000 in scholarships since the start of the foundation in 2005.
There are approximately 45 organizations across Colorado that support the Education Foundation yearly.
"We have a lot of support and a lot of acknowledgment for our heroes of the men and women of the Colorado National Guard," said Bernie Rogoff, Education Foundation.executive director. "People do step up and they do help us."
"We started off with five applicants. Now we receive up to 30 every six months. This year we have already given out 50 scholarships to National Guard dependents which totals out to $50,000," said Rogoff. "Applicants may re-apply as long as they are doing undergraduate work or entering college from high school."
Every application submitted to the foundation is assessed by each board member and takes up to four days to read and score. When completed, board members evaluate the applications a second time to ensure each one is scored accurately.
With a husband in the military, Jennifer Posch — a scholarship recipient — looks to become an elementary teacher when she finishes her degree.
"I am an older student, but look at this as an opportunity to teach my children that it's never too late to stop learning," said Posch.
When asked what the future holds for the Education Foundation, the leaders of the foundation want to make sure that the word gets out about the program.
"We have a two-fold goal: One is to continue to improve with our fundraising and the second is that we still believe that the entire Colorado Guard is not aware of this resource. That is our most urgent goal for us," said CONG Brig. Gen. Stuart Pike, Education Foundation chairman of the board.
Applications for spring 2010 scholarships are due by Jan. 21. For more information, visit www.ngaco-edufoundation.org.